There is a ship
On the distant horizon
Slowly approaching,
Its stately mast
Growing ever taller
With the passing hours.
By midday it will dock
And begin to unload
Its precious cargo
Of exotic silks
And rare spices
To grace the bazaar
And line the pockets
Of local merchants.
And does this ship
Also bear
A message of hope
From my beloved?
I will wait
Until midday.
If it does not,
I shall wait
For the next ship
And the next
And the next . . .
I will not give up hope -
I must not
Miss the boat!