On this warm summer evening I am thinking of Write Out Loud names long since departed from our community and wondering how they are?

Stuart Buck
Ann Foxglove
Winston Plowes
Sian?
and many more

You might well stand on the deck of the Marie Celeste as the wind howls in the shattered masts and the unmastered steering wheel of the boat swings and creaks and wonder where did all the crew go?

I awoke on a listless lonesome sea
Held fast in a rudderless boat
There drifted forlorn endlessly,
Lulled alone in my barque afloat.
For the dusk was slowly falling
And the sun glowed red in the face
The sirens and nymphs were calling
From the depths of this treacherous place.
Without a wave on this wide sea
Adrift in a rolling commotion
No one I fear can salvage me,
Now lost in this miserable ocean.
For the flotsam and jetsam was drifting
From the wreck of the previous night;
Nor my gloom intent on lifting
From my mind or grievous plight.
Without a wind to fill my sail
Becalmed in a timeless ocean;
Without a breeze, a gust or gale
I lay faint in this cradling motion.

Through the sombre, dark and foggy night
As light withdraws this eventide;
No moon or star came into sight
No loyal shipmates by my side.
For the gulls were slowly circling
Searching for what I know not
In this graveyard bells were tolling
In the wastes that time forgot.
No land to starboard or portside
No compass for my earthly guide
No oars to row against the tide
No one to whom I might confide.
Then I began to think awhile
Of the lovely lass who made me smile
When I was then so oft beguiled
With woman’s charms and subtle guile.
So I prayed to the Captain of my fate
To save my useless prodigal life
And when this trial has come to date
Return my soul to my beautiful wife.