Where Unknown Ancestors Died

at indifferent mercy bestowed
by time tide wind
have many sailing ships sailed
to past distant lands
awaiting perilous mist coastlines

locals know a quiet scenic place
deceptive inlet harbour
where ebb rip drowned swimmer
out to sea be swift sucked
body never to be washed ashore

myths lost imbue tidal surround
landfall peril an ancestor
colonial here lived legend depicted
a captain harbour master
drowned here a century more ago