In Memory of Francis Chichester

who sailed round the world

He died at sea.

His spirit has gone far out on an endeavour
of natural sea-grip.
Yes, I say it will never
slip the world’s maintenance, at last keel over.

He died at sea.

Through the world’s weather to the no-horizon
a spirit-yacht sails remarkably on.

He died at sea.

Gone is that wholeness, gone.
And so I say
no hospital could hold him where he lay.

He died at sea.