Old Sailor

He has been

Many places

In ships

That cross the sea,

He has studied varied faces,

Has tasted mystery,

In Oriental cities

He breasted

Monstrous pities

And to all

Fleshly pleasures

Known the key.

Now,

Paralyzed,

He suns himself

In charity’s poor chair –

And dreams

That women he has left

Lament him

Everywhere.

Langston Hughes

To all seafarers now sunning in charity’s chair,

Here’s hoping the holiday was safe

and the world treats you kindly.

Peace,

Ten

#LangstonHughes #Poetry