The Lantern Girl

Is the song of the wind

The tide coming in

Or is it the voice of a storm?

And the sea gulls that cry

From what do they fly

For joy or for danger to warn?

And the sun glowing red

When it finds its sea bed

Will it know when it ought to arise?

Should I wait by the sea

Just a lantern and me

To coax it again to the skies?

Has the tide really learned

At the black rocks to turn?

Will the shore folk be safe while they sleep?

Do the captains at sea

Know where they ought to be

Or ought I a lighthouse to keep?

O pray tell the lass

In the lantern light cast

Who worries that all is not well

That she could not hold still

The tide if she willed

Or convince the sun to rebel.

That the captains at sea

Are as safe as could be

Because they can follow the stars-

A Hand placed them high

And steadies the tide

And the shore folk are held in His Heart.

And pray tell the lass

In the lantern light cast

That it is, in fact, well with her soul

And tell her to sleep

For a Kind Heart will Keep

And wake her when sunrise is gold.

***

Inspired by a customer at a market I attended. She saw the “Lantern Girl” painting and said, “Oh, I just wish I could tell that girl that everything will be all right!”

Thanks for being here.

xx

tiana lee