"Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board"

In this quote, Zora Neale Hurston is utilizing the metaphor of a ship to represent the hopes and imagine every person. The expression "ships at a distance" recommends that these desires are far away and out of reach, yet still hold a strong allure. The concept that each person's desire is on board suggests that these goals are distinct and personal, which they are brought with them wherever they go. This quote highlights the universal human desire for something more, something much better, and the concept that these desires are always present, even if they appear far away.