Ishmael’s Goodbye

ISHMAEL

I LIVED TO TELL THIS STORY.

SO WONDROUS WHAT LIFE CAN TAKE AWAY.

I FLOATED ON A COFFIN, A LIFE-BUOY THAT BROUGHT ME TO YOU.

MY FRIENDS HAVE ALL GONE DOWN TOGETHER, 

THE OCEAN’S WATERFALL.

THEY ALL HAD SUCH BEAUTY AND LONGING,

THAT NOW I AM LEFT TO RECALL.

MY QUEEQUEG AND DEAR STARBUCK,

THEY KNEW OF OLD AHAB’S DESTINY.

BUT BRAVE AND OH SO CARING,

THEY WRAPPED ALL THE CREW IN THEIR ARMS.

I’LL MISS YOU MY FRIEND ALL SO TATTOOED, GO SWIM WITH MOBY NOW.

AND WHEN I TAKE THOSE ENDLESS STAIRS THAT BRING ME TO THE END,

I’LL LOOK FOR YOU ALL THERE.