Katie's Poem

I've been pretty busy since I got back but I've finally had a chance to sdit down and start going through some photo's from the race. I'll be unloading some of these and the stories behind them over the next few weeks. However, I wanted to start with a poem. Simon challenged Katie at Christmas to make a speech for her birthday, she declined but offered to read this:

Sea – Fever

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all that I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking, And a grey mist on the sea’s face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

John Masefield

For those of us who truly understand the ‘call’ of the sea I think this poem beautifully sums up how I feel when I go sailing or see a boat on the ocean waves. A love for the sea is not something that can be explained, some people just get it, it is a yearning deep inside that fills you with energy and excitement and the desire for adventure and escapism. I have been lucky enough to sail with and meet a large number of people over the last two years who understand this……