On the shadowed grey of this wet autumn day
when our family has gathered in solemn pray.
We’ve dressed in respectful cloth of black,
to engrave farewell in granite plaque.

Warm shakes wring hand of autumn cold,
where sorrow’s linked, through solemn fold.
We share remembered tales of joy
of the friend we’ve loved, both man and boy.

Destiny carved of wood carpenter
redirected by Helmsman to sea mariner,
William eyed horizons, young single and free,
journeying life’s waves, a merchant at sea.

Each wave, sea crested in coloured tattoo,
mapped a returned contour, long overdue.
A life re-lived through fractured homily,
in mottled reflection, of an amazing odyssey.

Now lowered in reverend silent grace,
we contemplate the fate, we all must face
in shallow Colmcille’s hallowed clay,
to reunite with family, long passed away.

William choose the road less travelled by,
and like the salmon of the leap, he could not deny.
Drawn home by the heather, in purple adjourn
we celebrate the life of the Mariner’s return.