What lies beneath the surface
Of those once azure eyes?
Those deep pools of blue
Have turned a stormy grey.
And all the mysteries below,
And all the things unknown
Are no longer there.

What lies upon his face,
Once carefree, young and full?
The features so familiar
Have changed.
Swept by the wind,
Burnt by the sun,
Weathered and old.

What has happened to his hair,
Once as black as ink?
Those unruly locks
No longer shine as bright.
Drowned by the water,
Beaten by the wind,
Grey and dull.

What has happened to his hands,
Once nimble, quick and smooth?
Those that were so strong
Are now swollen claws.
Bitten by the salt,
Chafed by the nets,
Cut and worn.

Where has his body gone?
No longer standing straight and tall.
Once muscles strong and agile,
Now nothing left to give.
Crippled by the weight
Of a thousand lifetimes lived.
Spent, worn and gone.

Where has his mind gone?
No longer full of life.
Once laughing, sharing, giving.
Now taken from us.
Clouded by the years
Of hardships and struggles -
Lost.

©Karen Chappell