[This poem is inspired by Robert Burns’ (1759-1796) “My Heart’s in the Highlands,” the first stanza of which is quoted in Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley.]

My heart’s in the sea, my heart is not here;
My heart’s in the sea a-sailing wind clear;
A-sailing the free wind, and espying the whale–
My heart’s in the sea, whatever my trail.

Farewell to the sea, farewell to the skiff,
The haunt of legends, the wilderness of myth;
Wherever I wander, wherever I go,
The mem’ries of the sea I keep in tow.

Farewell to the ships with their blankets white,
Farewell to the dolphins leaping into site.
Farewell to the painted skies, melting into water;
Farewell to the whistling gales and compassed rudder.

My heart’s in the sea, my heart is not here;
My heart’s in the sea a-sailing wind clear;
A-sailing the free wind, and espying the whale–
My heart’s in the sea, whatever my trail.