1 get stardust in my eyes during worship I’m cruising on a winsome sea no land or others just a breezy forever the wind’s got the boat’s white sail full throttle Jesus is near With words of cool spirit fire says ‘Look only to me not left or right keep your eyes on me alone’ 2 We’re heading to a sunset shooting cosmic light ten thousand streams of happiness not far from the swing of the foam one dawn or two later songs by the ‘electric light orchestra’ tune in I rise and play ‘strange magic’ ‘telephone line’ and ‘twilight’ on you-tube several times the words of the songs calling to a space between earth and heaven like the place between the boat and home 3 in spring my sister phones ‘come on a cruise to Japan my shout we’ll board the diamond princess at Taipei‘ soon our soft-as-cloud beds swing light as coracles swept up in the swish of the waves the dance of the steward seems almost anointed beds smoothed twice a day clothes lightly folded on pillows his touch like a thousand silent breezes surprisingly ok I’m thinking about love of course and how it makes you feel when nothing is required but to receive and live a little we check our tiaras at our choice of cruise eatery consider delicious thoughts of crepes and creamery a menu without prices a magical ingredient book a massage or a rest on a hot stone bed take a tour round a port climb watch towers and look out river sampans drifting far below say Japan Japan Japan in November shows off its chrysanthemums and children in blossom-soaked kimonos it’s Shichi Go San loving parents are praying for long life and happiness we take photos in dappled shrine courtyards priests rustle silently in sunshine and shadow 4 one evening rugged-up on deck juggling pizza and icy wine the kaleidoscope that shoots cosmic light is back we’re at Osaka and hard portside its famous ferris wheel twice ship height is going off big-time glory plays and winks while we drink and eat and chat catch the sound of one wheel clapping on cue ELO strikes up on the deck’s big screen ‘Hello, can you hear me have you been alright?’ coming down the telephone line ‘Are you still the same? don't you realize the things we did we did were all for real not a dream? I just can't believe they've all faded out’ God has my full attention as Robin books us tomorrow’s afternoon of leisure I think of times past God and I working together recall a thousand happy glances 5 at ‘the sanctuary’ a private attendant brings us soft wool blankets to soothe our loads of woe – ha our noses sniff a salty sky a place of sighs let out three courses of afternoon tea biscuits of the heavenly sort can’t buy in ordinary shops I think as I try one out then a trolley wheeling sandwiches and angel cakes galore each one pretty never tasted before 6 as we cruise to our final port a thousand waves bow sorrowfully I reach a chapter in my book my heart jumps He is speaking in tsunami sentences ‘I want to answer your prayers and I will but first soak you in my love’ my riven heart hears something along this line ‘I have ships sailing in living water powered for high seas you are both queens with domains of love like these’ weeks later the sky is dusted in white chrysanthemum pompoms ten thousand graces sallying white sails billowing I listen again and write ‘love and healing for the nations sound the trumpets blow the horns prepare the way of the Lord’.
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©Tess Ashton
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