O Captain, My Captain

Best friend and mentor

Captain of mine

Through forest we’ve journeyed

By sea we have traveled,

You have taught me

Of forest lore, of sea lore

Of science

You have shown me ways of leadership

Of teaching and compassion

By way of our journeys

You have taught me of life,

In partnership with wooden boats

Upon the Salish Sea

You have taught me how

To read the waters

The wind and currents therein

You have taught me how

To treat a crew

With laughter, song, and persistence

You have taught me how

To tie knots

To ravel and unravel

To bind into stronger harmony

Lines of both fiber and humanity

To bend the like and unlike together

Wood and water and us

Bound by lines of braided knowledge

And salten trust.