A Mariner’s Compass

Built in 1750,
Hidden from display
In the collection of
Astronomical and Navigational Instruments
At the Royal Museums Greenwich,
Is mounted in a wooden box.
On the paper compass card,
An image of a fleur-de-lys
Is imbedded in the north position.

The Mariner’s Compass
Is a navigational tool
Indicating direction
And degrees of a circle,
Designed to keep those at sea
On course.

I have a mariner’s compass of my own,
Though it’s not made of brass
And contains no directional needle.
It is a quilt,
Sewn by a steady, though aged, hand.
The compass design is bold against a cobalt background,
Framed by a strip of white and lavender cloth.

It hangs over my bed
And as I observe it
In those final moments before
Sleep engulfs me,
I ask about my life:
Have I taken the right bearing?
Am I on the right course?

One thought on “A Mariner’s Compass

  1. Top of the morning to you Dave. What a lovely poem about the Mariner’s Compass quilt I gifted to you when you were deployed to Duncan. It sure was nice to cross paths with yourself at the beginning of March. Interesting that you are pondering about your course in life. I, myself, have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Victoria over the past couple of months and have been wondering how you have been doing. Hope you are enjoying your “Forever Home”.

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