Never been on the ocean you say? Well boy, I label you incomplete, for man was made for two things above all: sailing and loving. Since we lie too far from any blessed shores, let me relate to you a shred of my love for the seas, so that you might have a glimpse, no matter how obscure, of that feeling of all feelings: the pleasure of being under way.
So you lie, my son, sprawled wondrously on a deck of wood; the boards running up your back like so many strong, oaken hands. And you glance up to see the sun spilling generously onto stretches of warm canvas, taut with the mighty wind. The mast spirals upwards, as if a beacon directing one heavenwards, and with the sensations that stir pleasantly in your head, you are not so sure this is but an appearance. You close your eyes now and become aware of the sounds around you. The waves lap and dance along the hollow hull, thrumming long, voluptuous vibations through your very soul. And above all of these things, you feel motion. You are aware of the uniqueness of being propelled at a tremendous pace, by virtue of the air alone. Your travels truly are aligned with a divine will; and for a moment it is as if heaven itself has stopped, and turned, to bless your travels with such speed. There is no smoke, nor noise, nor ramming of vulgar piston. It is an effortless traverse; a lambent, magical skimming. It is sailing my boy, and you must try it.
I am a sailor who is stuck in the Midwest. I grew up with a 45 ft ketch on the Chesapeake… the memory will never leave me. To sit on the edge of the bowpsprit and dream as you bounce with the waves - the only good thing about a motorboat are the waves that the sailboat catches. Have you ever had the argument with a motor-head? They just don’t get it. “It’s fast,” they say, but ah - to pull those sheets and lean against the wind - nothing like it in the world. Nothing.
Actually, I am printing your piece out to save. I just loved it.
Greatly descriptive, almost Conradical, piece of writing.
I am not well-versed on sailing in any way shape or form. I have travelled on boats and fished on a few rowing boats - you made me want to go sailing, sailing, sailing on the sea!
Strangely nostaglic feel to this piece! Articulate too.