Facelift

What journeys have you struggled through,
my friend;
what icy seas and hurling waves
have tossed this rust onto your deck
and scored your hull
with streaks of pale
until, like northern lights,
they send their colored rays before
in unexpected bursts of joy?

I ache, to see you standing here,
magnificent and strong
despite your age, your gaping holes;
awaiting the refiner's fire
so you may trace again
the cold and farthest shores.


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