William Seed’s Journey by Corrina Robinson

William Seed’s Journey by Corrina Robinson

I came back here the first night, I knew not where else to go. But another boy had taken my place, as I took a place here, when my brother John was put out to sea. All the boys sound asleep, dreaming of mischief and adventure.

Next — to my mother with our Maggie, and much weeping about me having no last rites and no grave to rest in and prayers to St Christopher, my father, Neptune or anyone else that would carry me up to heaven. To be lost so close to home, yet so far away. Our Maggie saying the ship must be cursed to lose two lads on the same voyage.

I met our Tom and Lizzie and Will and Cath. Will, whom I was named for, ten days off seventeen, my life so much longer than any of these babes.

For many a year I watched over our John as he sailed the seven seas and Maggie’s husband too. Bill was a captain but Maggie kept her boys away from the sea. My name lived on with their second son.

And now, here again, to listen to my name being called and my story told.