The Seafaring Lad

Some old houses had a tower to watch ships far away,
and some homes had a widow's walk to see across the bay.
But I heard about a mother who walked along the shore
keeping a vigil for the son she hoped to see once more.

He was his father's future hope, his mother's pride and joy.
He made their home a happy one - a helping, loving boy.
But when his pals all went to sea, he begged his parents' leave;
that he'd come sailing back 'fore long.  They had to just believe.

And so they gave their blessings, but as the time passed by
and he did not return to them, they had to wonder why.
A shipwreck was the haunting thought; it was their daily fear.
perchance a passing ship came by, bound for a distant pier.

Many years passed by; each night they watched the lighthouse beams
and prayed that it would guide him home.  They held on to their dreams.
Their little home was waiting, and if ever he'd returned,
he'd have seen his candle in the window every night it burned.

-Lillian Arnold Lopez "Pineylore"

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