Tiny Ships

Here, at the pale shoulder of morning,

The final star crossing from darkness to light takes full measure of life.

At first light, mountains tumble into cities that stand upright and shine brightly on one side.

Threads of water begin small but soon stitch themselves into green seas.

In the cities, people gather against colorful reflections.

From the echoes of joined voices tiny ships emerge

And are sent along the blue threads of water

So the men onboard might seek and explore the endless seas.

From darkness into light, from light into darkness,

And from darkness into the light again, the ships sail on,

The men taking measure once

And themselves being measured over and over again.

--Mitchell Hegman