bleak

[homer1950]

There are tumults in the ocean,
but the ship must sail,
it cannot sink.

I must reach the port,
I cannot sleep,
not a wink.

when times are hard
and light is bleak,
sea is the paper,
and tears are ink.

Hello Typing Mantis: Youre poem was quite enjoyable (I like them tight and neat). 
perhaps it could be even tighter and more dramtic, an example of what I mean:

Ocean is tumultuous
ship must sail, 
cannot sink.

to port must reach,
nary a sleeps wink.

this may add a faster pace to the read. Creating a feel of urgency that 
a ship on the ocean in trouble would have. Just a thought 

Thanks Homer