Storm Song
Maxine Rose Munro
I'll call cross wave, perhaps you'll hear,
I know this sea exacts a cost.
The birds still wheel, they'll never care
how the air I breathe divides us.
I know this sea exacts a cost
for those who crave to be held safe.
How the air I breathe divides us
with unseen winds that touch my face.
For those who crave to be held safe
the sea is vast and powerful.
With unseen winds that touch my face
my voice may carry out to you.
The sea is vast and powerful,
and you are there and I am not.
My voice may carry out to you,
I'll sing you safe from storm and rock.
And you are there and I am not.
Yet I need you here beside me,
I'll sing you safe from storm and rock,
though I fear your soul now blows free.
Yet I need you here beside me.
I'll call cross wave, perhaps you'll hear,
though I fear your soul now blows free.
The birds still wheel. They'll never care.
Author's note: Shetland women had to be tough, minding the croft for long, long weeks while their husband went to the Haaf (deep sea) fishing. All too often their husband never came back.
First published in the Scottish Writer's Centre chapbook "Island and Sea"
