April 28, 2009
Crossing the Bar
Sir Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote a poem entitled “Crossing the Bar”. It was not the last poem that he wrote, however he gave specific instructions that it was to be the last poem printed in any book of his poems. And so it is.
It is the poem that I had chosen to read at my Father’s Memorial service on the Pacific Ocean last Thursday morning. In 1992, My Father had hand written specific instructions on how his final wishes were to be carried out. I was unaware of exactly what he had written but I had a general idea of what he wanted done. My Brother had the papers and the exact form that the Memorial was to take and what was to be read. Since he handled all the arrangements, I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I knew it would be wonderful.
And so, you can imagine my “non-surprise surprise” when, during the Memorial, my Brother began to read (from my Father’s instructions) the exact poem that I had chosen for my Father during the Memorial. It follows here….
CROSSING the BAR
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SUNSET and evening star, |
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And one clear call for me! |
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And may there be no moaning of the bar, |
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When I put out to sea, |
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But such a tide as moving seems asleep, |
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Too full for sound and foam, |
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When that which drew from out the boundless deep |
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Turns again home. |
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Twilight and evening bell, |
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And after that the dark! |
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And may there be no sadness of farewell, |
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When I embark; |
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For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place |
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The flood may bear me far, |
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I hope to see my Pilot face to face |
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When I have crossed the bar. |
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