TWO POEMS

At Ruth's memorial service, Rosette Signorelli read The Ship (anonymous). Then Robert read his poem, which draws upon the imagery of The Ship. So both poems are included here, side by side.

THE SHIP

I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads
her white sails to the morning breeze
and starts for the blue ocean.

She is an object of beauty and strength,
and I stand and watch her until
at length she is only a speck of white cloud
just where the sea and sky meet
and mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side exclaims,
"There, she's gone."

Gone where?
Gone from my sight, that is all.
She is just as large in hull and mast and spar
as she was when she left my side,
and just as able to bear her load of living
freight to the place of her destination.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment when someone
at my side says, "she's gone," there are
other eyes watching for her coming
and other voices ready to take up the
glad shout, "There, she comes."
And that is dying.

RUTH

by Robert Ferre

you have sailed uncharted waters
that have taken you from view
as all God's sons and daughters
are someday bound to do

I had hoped you'd stay here longer
teacher lover friend
but my heart is all the stronger
knowing death is not the end

with you gone things won't be the same
your smile your golden hair
yet whenever I call out your name
I know that you'll be there

we are "blessed beyond all measure"
is the promise that you heard
that our love is such a treasure
shows that God has kept His word

I'll hold your love on my life's trip
not knowing what's in store
until the day you meet my ship
upon that distant shore

I love you, Ruthie