Arkansas Writer: Blue Sky Sailing

He was a fresh water mountain man, from the Ozarks he had come.

Loved to eat that seafood, but never touched the rum.

Told some he’d come for the sunshine. Told some he’d come for the rain.

The locals said, “ He’s a loner.” Then said that he’s insane.

When he went blue-sky sailing. All alone he wanted to be.

Searching for an answer. Looking for the Key.

Seeking the place, they called, “ The Deep Blue Sea,”

Where the waters seem to flow, from there to eternity.

He bought an old thirty-foot sailing boat. Quickly passed every test.

Set sail early one morning, out upon his lonely quest.

Held a heading to the south, seeking The Deep Blue Sea.

He was looking for someone, who lived out on that Key.

So he went blue-sky sailing. All alone he wanted to be.

Searching for an answer. Looking for the Key.

Seeking the place, they called, “ The Deep Blue Sea,”

Where the waters seem to flow, from there to eternity.

He was seen in Key Largo. Then in Marathon.

Camped out on Bahia Honda, but sailed again at dawn.

Never made it to Key West. Showed up on Big Pine Key.

Was seen there with a lady. Was heard to say, “I’m free.”

Then they went blue-sky sailing. All alone they wanted to be.

He would ask the question. She controlled the Key.

Slipped out to the place, they called, “ The Deep Blue Sea.”

Where they would decide, what their future would be.

They docked again at Big Pine Key, two weeks later around noon.

Called for a preacher, to come over real soon.

Said they wanted to be married. Live together forever more.

In her home way out yonder, on that secluded shore.

Oh they went blue-sky sailing. All alone they wanted to be.

He had his answer. To her heart he held the Key.

Sailed out to her home, she called The Deep Blue Sea.

Where the fire of their love, would blaze on through eternity.

They went blue-sky sailing. They went blue-sky sailing. They went blue-sky sailing,

Out to The Deep Blue Sea.

A.L. Shipman, Jr.

Oct. 13, 2008

Arkansas Writer