National Day of the Sea

On November 16 we commemorate the National Day of the Sea in Portugal.

Strait Magellan

Portuguese Sea

O sea, how much of your salt

Is sharp with the tears of Portugal?

How many mothers have wept

And sons prayed vainly to cross you

And maidens remained unmarried

That we might claim you our own

O salty seas of Portugal.

And was the price too high?

Not if the soul can pay it

Not if the soul is big enough

To round the cape and discover

Further perils beyond

For God who created the waters

Made them also mirror his heaven.

  Fernando Pessoa (transl. John Betjeman)

                                                    Cape Horn, 2007