Poems of the sea
A page for poetry and reflections of People of the Sea
The following grace-before-meals was given to us by supporter Ms Pat Bennet from Plymouth in England. Daughter of a seafaring family, Ms Bennet learned this grace as a girl and has used it eversince
Oh God, the Giver, take the thanks we give,
For life and for the food by which we live.
Thinking of those who carry it by sea,
On all our sailors may thy blessing be.
This poem was written by Mrs Rosalina Morales-Cabundocan of the Philippines in memory of her husband Chief Engr. Melchor C. Cabundocan
Life at sea
Far away from home and family
Far away from relatives and friends
How lone can this be...
Life at sea
Is dangerous
But, seafarers brave the waves
To feed their families
Life at sea
Means leaving family for a year or more
Struggled homesickness and loneliness
Meeting different races.
Life at sea
Means many months spent at sea
But, it is interesting and challenging
Travelling and see the world free.
Life at sea
Is like a prison
A prison in the ocean
Of God’s creation.
Life at sea
Is pain and strain
Temptations are myriad
But, God never forsake them.
Life at sea
Is sacrifice
But, seafarers continue to believe
And hold on to their faith
That God loves the people
Of the sea.
Mrs Morales-Cabundocan's poem appeared originally in Ahoy! magazine. Click here for more details
This poem was written by seafarer Rommel A Peralta who gave it to AOS port chaplain in Hull, England and asked if we could share it with others on our website
Rommel is from the Philippines. He works as a steward on P&O Ferries. Contracts are usually six months in duration with two month breaks in between.
I don’t know how to give thanks -For all the blessings that you have given me.
For all the times that I am confused and troubled – you have never left me.
You are always at my side, when there is no one I could talk to and in times of loneliness.
you are always there to guide me through.
You know that I am not strong, but you always have faith in me.
You always see to it that I wont do no wrong and go astray.
Oh my God thank you for leading the way for me.
Your light always shines so I can see the things you want me to see
Sometimes I am blinded by the things I shouldn’t see.
But you are always there to remind me not to do it because it is not your way.
Our thanks to all for sharing these poems
