so far away from the sea
zero to twenty
seemingly a lifetime
long ago microfilmed
now locked away
in a seashell vault
footprints on reflective beach
washed away ages ago
moon phase
after moon phase
erasing whatever proof
there may have been
out in the deep blue sea
young sailors
become old men in a single season
long off course
and desperately sober
stuffing farewell messages
inside empty beer bottles
january two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
jdubqca 
really great imagery
thank you so much, Beth
I love the feeling in this poem and the last stanza and last line are especially great
Thank you, Judy. Always a pleasure hearing from you.