Lost Ships

Upon the grass knelt I,
beside the rippling water.
Upstream, downstream,
the distance drew mine eye.

Where are they?

The breeze loosed a sigh,
the birds sang a joyous song.
Nature took its normal course,
yet worried still was I.

It has been too long.

Finally, a speck drew nigh,
first one sail to crown the horizon,
then three, then five, then
even was clear the sails' dye.

Have they returned?

Mine heart was lifted thereby,
watching the proud ships approach,
our lost comrades at last returned
the gauntlet of our curiosity to satisfy.

Something is wrong.

Frozen stood I,
not disbelieving my sight,
nor the absence of our kin
which mine heart do horrify.

Lifeless decks prevail.

With sails set high,
downstream they drift
formed up, yet empty,
as though mine eyes did lie.

What happened?