Old man by the sea -v2

The man looks stranded

by the big black sea.

The salt gets caught in his beard,

the wind carves his face.

This is his daily life.

The oil does not get lighter.

The steps do not get fewer.

The climb seems higher,

but he continues to work.

His solitary job is guarding

the beacon of light.

Night after night,

and all the same during the day,

he works.

His achievement

is keeping the ships clear

of shallow waters

and treacherous sands.

His success is defined

when nothing happens.

The ships pass

and never suffer

what might have been.

There is no reward

for what does not happen,

no one to thank him

for the wreck that never was,

only the small hope

that with every ship

that sails safely on,

he pushes his chance.