Winds of No Direction

a poem written many months ago by Noel G. Coward.

The ocean is so vast howling wind upon my hull

And I pray to God that soon in this storm

There’ll be a lull

Canvas flapping hauntingly on my small boat

That is so frail

To chart another course

And into calmer water sail

 

Awash with salty spray or be it tears of despair

White water washing over me and thunder

In the air

Huge waves rise up from under

That send me crashing down

I hold my breath and kick my feet

Lest that I should drown

 

Winds of no direction pounding in my ears

I sink deep within myself knowing life

It is I fear

Debris of the past swept away on deep

And murky current

A lonely voice calls out in anguish

Seeking to repent

Silence sweeping over me closing out the light

Glad my end is near with wrongs I know

I cannot right

There’s calm beneath that turbulence

Is what my mind is thinking

I pray in earnest for forgiveness

And slowly I am sinking

 

by Noel G. Coward
aka Droc

Author's Note

I had the privilege of accompanying several of Noel's friends in spreading his ashes over the Indian Ocean last week. Although his life had been an extremely difficult one, he found his voice through poetry. He was a gifted writer and loving friend. May he find peace in this, his final resting place.

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

whew! tragically prophetic ..so sad for the loss of a human soul yet so much more for one you were close to ... :((
E.

[Dara]

Thank you for your words of comfort and insight my friend. I felt the same way when I re read the poem. He will be missed so very much.

[Kelly Scheppers]

You've brought a lump to my throat, Dara...what a fabulous piece this is! And what a friendship it must have been!

Bless you for sharing it with us here!

[Dara]

His poetry touched me deeply from the very beginning and we became very close friends. This particular poem really brought it all home. It is wonderful to see you here and thank you so much for your kind words, Kelly.

[Misery]

A beautiful offering...yet, again I must steal words from Tennyson.
"Good fortune had your good man; for were I dead, who is it would weep for me?"

[Dara]

Such tender sentiments so in tune with the moment my dear friend. On a personal note, I for one would weep profusely!

[Misery]

Thank you dearest and darling Dara.
It would be a stress-free service for the funeral director, only one chair would be needed. But one true friend is all my sorrows ever needed.

[Dara]

To be considered a true friend would be such a privilege but I know that one chair would not be nearly enough for you are one of the kindest people I know.

[Samuel Dickens]

I can relate to many of the analogies he expresses. Let his eternal spirit fly, and may you feel some sense of closure. "Tis a fine thing you did.

[Dara]

Thank you Sam! It was a very humbling experience. The older I get the more I can relate as well. Being so close and taking a sailboat out into the ocean was wonderful as well you can imagine :-)