Sail away-sail away

Myth is the public dream, and dream is the private myth.

- Joseph Campbell





Do you remember the title song, Sail away, sail away? It is in my head now. It sends me down an interesting virtual "rabbit trail" of surfing the web. We have all done it. It began with posting the above photo from my collection.
This photo has a haunting quality about it, even though it is obviously not a stormy day. We stand on the deck of the sailboat, wondering what is ahead.The dark image draws us in and lures us around the bend.
I was reminded of the classic poem about the song of the sirens that lured sailors to their deaths on the shoals. A Dogpile search using the terms (myth siren song sailor) revealed some interesting items, among them, a contemporary poem with comments. I quote the first three stanzas. Readers' comments follow:
"Siren Song" - by Margaret Atwood
This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:

the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see the beached skulls

the song nobody knows
because anyone who has heard it
is dead, and the others can't remember.
Readers' comments on the Atwood poem make another interesting "rabbit trail."

Decades ago a friend and I took Red Cross sailing lessons. It was great fun. That is where I learned to duck my head as the single sail came around. And I learned to absolutely loved sailing the little "Beetle" class boat. The class was my last experience at the helm. I never got very good at it, but I didn't mind. I never owned a sailboat, though my son has a small one.
My search turned up this quote that captures some of my sailor feelings:

"I already know as much about my fate as I need to know. The only matter of consequence before me is what I will do with my allotted time. I can remain on shore, or I can raise my sails and dip and soar in the breeze."

Richard Bode

My surfing rabbit trail also revealed that, if you live in Chicago, this is where you can learn to sail. I quote the opening paragraph from the Chicago Learning Guide. Mr. Bringe described my feelings in the breeze so many years ago:

Learn how to sail, by Keith Bringe
"It's easy to see why sailing seduces so many enthusiastic participants. At once, a sport, a mode of transportation, and a source of mythology, sailing is all about skill, athleticism and ultimately, power. Sails harness the awesome energy of the wind, water, and the sun. The first thing that strikes you when gliding across the water is the sound - there is no motor, no mechanical rhythm. All that is heard is the rush of the sails and the slice of the prow."

Tags: sailing poetry
My "topical post" today at South by Southwest is about EU and US women.