The Ship

I am standing on the shore as a great ship
gently glides from the harbor and sails towards the horizon
She is beautiful. Sails billowing.
and shining bright as sunlight sparkling on distant waters.
She grows smaller and smaller, until at last,
her white sails shine as ribbons
out where the sky and water mingle as one.
As I watch, a voice behind me says,
"Well, she's gone." She's gone.
Gone?
"No." I say to myself.
No, she is not gone. Not really.
She is gone only in the sense that I can no longer see her.
In reality, she is the same as ever;
Just as beautiful, just as shining.
And deep in my heart I know,
that on another shore,
other voices are crying out,
"Look! Look everyone! Here she comes!"

From Dwarves in the Stable, by Frederick Beuchner

Thank you Denise.