I hear nothing besides the creak of wood And the settling of the water.

A ripple gently rocks my life As angry storm clouds start to roll in. I prepare the best I can. Securing the ropes, and loose supplies to the deck.

The rain starts to pound the boat making the deck slippery I try to keep my balance as heavy waves splash the sides, Threatening to send me overboard.

I hold tight to the mast as wave after wave Comes to destroy me.

…

The smell of rain and salt lingers on everything. The storm may have passed but it made sure to leave a mark.

Kill the motor and hoist the sail No need to burn gas while the winds prevail They will take you out to sea Traveling as quiet and gentle as can be

Meanwhile engines pur Other boats seam to fly past in a blur But the ocean is vast And speed doesn’t always last

Long after the roars cease You can continue to explore about in peace Until you arrive To a place where you can thrive

Why rush if life isn’t a race And you can get there at your own pace?

This boat won’t sink, it’s made of what I think when I feel you next to me.

This boat will float and as the waves coat the shore with the sea.

Then the tides carry out the shark and the shout to let it be, oh let it be.

I’m safe and secure, both wild and demure, grounded, yet free.

When you’re born You start a journey You sit on your boat And sail.

You get guidance with how to catch wind How to find north How to fend for yourself among violent waves And how to manage the boat.

Now you sail alone Sitting on a boat No wind to catch and no stars to track And it feels as though the ocean froze

You pass others ships who travel differently In different boats On different journeys And at different speeds.

Yet stuck on a boat That feels like it hasn’t moved Or changed Since it began its journey

Some days my body tells me I am in a boat on the sea Sometimes the current is gentle Lulling, the smooth sway of a baby In it’s mothers arms Sometimes the ocean is angry A raging current that Pulls me until I can’t tell Where the horizon is And my hands clutch the rails Seeking steady footing. And on days where the sea Is a mass of jumping crashing waves Of anger and fear My body tells me I am the boat And nothing inside me Is properly anchored And I feel the careening Of everything in me Slamming from side to side, Crashing breaking tossing. How I long to find calmer waters, To chase them into port So I may finally reach land And find my body, my legs, my brain Stolid and strong under me.

We all need stars to guide our way Across the sea of life, To lead us to that sheltered bay Away from hate and strife.

When we first start out in our boat We leave the stars behind. From where we sit they seem remote - Not what we seek to find.

We need to chart our unique course And do the things we want, We never get to feel remorse, So focused on the jaunt.

But over time we get the sense There’s something that we lack. In an ocean so immense, We’re not sure where to tack.

Our little ship now feels so small Out in that deep wide blue But those same stars will guide us all So that our course is true.

So when we look up,at the night For a familiar glow. Our hearts do gladden at the sight And we know where to row.

We all need stars to guide our way Across the sea of life To lead us to that sheltered bay Away from hate and strife

Forgotten. Damaged. Wrecked. Broken. Alone.

I’m a boat, floating endlessly at sea. The ocean water is my tears. What lurks below, my demons. The wind blows a sorrowful song. Rocking me like a crying baby.

I sit alone, no longer cheery. I sit alone, no longer energetic.

I’m by myself in an empty war. Facing demons far too strong. I’m lost amongst the tears. The tears I’ve shed.

I’ve been forgotten. I’ve been abandoned.

No one cares at all. No one comes to rescue. They simply look on in awe.

“But she’s still pretty.” But even pretty boats can sink.

This boat Keeps me afloat While I’m drowning In treacherous waters.

While some may call it Motion sickness I call it a dance; The sway of comfort.

A flow I cannot control- A ride that has no end; This boat takes me where My issues may mend.

Life keeps moving And I in this boat There’s no turning back When the sails are broke.

I am on the boat of the bottle I can feel the waves Side to side up and down My stomach turns I am happy I feel good A massage to my brain Violent and swift The tears come to spill Like the waves crashing to the bow I close my eyes breathe deep Hope I can survive Until I’m deep in my slumber The morning takes no haste As the light pierce my eyes like a laser beam A hammer in my skull and a pick to my eyes Never again I promise I will never drink again

We christened her “Wedded Bliss” And ensured her sea worthiness Years before our maiden voyage We were blessed to have circumnavigated So much of the globe before I beached her On my rocky truth She ferried our greatest import Some sixteen years hence It was devistating when our Bliss ran aground But she brought us so far And so much joy My co-captain remains ashore with our treasure And I visit often Saddened we had to decommission our Bliss But so thankful for our joyous voyage And our beautiful bounty