Adrift

four winds

rippling sails 

rigging

rudder lashed

compass

spinning

seven spokes

form 

the 

wheel

a stern hand

to 

bring

Leviathan

to

heel

hearts of oak

cold

wooden

beast

while counting beads

the waves

starving

feast

a breathing tide

a voice

from

the 

East

the Cup

of

Wrath

us spared

the

least

the Lord giveth

taketh

away

such currents

as these

to lead

astray

shovel it out

while

cold bilge 

erupts

with

shivering hands

isn't 

it

enough?

Author's Note

Written the last time I was in the hospital. Kinda depressing.

Reviews

[Brad Dehler]

Very good, i appreciate the ending with a message within the question. In this poem- you expressed A troubling tempest -we can all relate to. A hospital being one- hopefully it helped you (us) pass the time.

[Chris Shaw]

That’s quite the storm you have weathered there my friend and I sincerely hope you are out the other side where the sailing is less troublesome. Your words are powerfully penned and visual. Hope your day today is a good one John. All the best.

Chris

[John Sullivan]

Hello Ms. Shaw!

Things are ok these days, enjoying a quiet weekend. Thank you, as always, for your thoughts and kindness.

[karencrab]

Hello, I read your story and I really liked it. If you don’t mind, I’d love to share some ideas that might make your story even better. Would it be possible for us to talk on another platform?
Email: [e-mail]
Instagram: karencrabtree47
Discord: karencrabtree_

[Davidgeo]

I hope all is well Mr Sullivan

[John Sullivan]

Mr. Davidgeo, cheers. Feeling better, but writer's block/general antisocialness/obsessive video gaming have kept me away, for a few more days anyways.

[Betty Hermelee]

Quite a storm of the seas which could make any heart drop and blood level rise… like waves … your description is clear and words excite the reader , at least it did mine….
Warmly😊

[Betty Hermelee]

Sorry you were in the hospital 🌷

[John Sullivan]

Hello Betty! It's quite alright, it happens sometimes. Doing better now, though facing a bit of that dastardly writer's block. Cheers!

[Betty Hermelee]

Always a pleasure, and I hope you are feeling better!
Warmly, B

[John Sullivan]

This week it's physically sick, though mentally well, which... I'll take! The pleasure is mine, Ms. Betty.

[Lorry]

Isn't it always the same John. You plan and expect for a gentle sail and end up inadvertently sailing into a tsunami!
This is basically the reason I try to plan ahead, but with a pinch of "if something can go wrong, it will" thrown in for good measure.
Even with our mental health being on the line, fate has a helluva twisted sense of humour of which it is best to avoid if possible the dreaded fate of the directors cut version.
If only A.I. could intervene and give us all a soft play version of reality, with no sharp edges or nurse Ratchett's to compete with.
😃

[John Sullivan]

I... have been around long enough to know that life is a thing that occasionally... happens to you. Some people cling to control as a means... which is oftentimes a fool's errand. But anyways! Lovely to hear from ya, Lorry.

[Neha agrawal]

Amazing write ✍️! Keep writing

[John Sullivan]

Thanks so much, friend!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

This is intense, John.
Almost metaphorical about the stay in the hospital and how it can be likened to ship sailing astray, battling currents of illness...the wrath of the torrents...feeling capsized.
I felt motion sickness reading this...and imagined a different kind of sickness.
j.

[John Sullivan]

When the whole world is sick, can no-one be well?.... I think a song goes. I may be... diagnosable, but I don't have the sickness so many do, goshdarnit. Thanks for your thoughts, Jacob. Always appreciated.

[emmajoygreen]

Depressing, yes.. but illness dilutes pride, invites helplessness and it hurts like hell. Yet, come to think of it, fortunate the writer who can magic wonder out of the dark and display courage.. and so much more. Fine words laid so worthy and more.

'four winds
rippling sails
rigging
rudder lashed
compass
spinning
seven spokes
form
the
wheel'

and so it continues until the calm creeps in - visually welcome, eventually

[John Sullivan]

Thank you for your kind words, Ms. Emma. I try to find the calm in every day, these days.

[emmajoygreen]

How right you are, sir!

[emmajoygreen]

Today: 07/08 - hope you're feeling at least a little better, sir.

[John Sullivan]

Today here it is Saturday the 9th, and I am feeling much better, Ms. Emma. Writer's block has got me, but I am well, thank you for your thoughts!

[emmajoygreen]

Think some beautiful clouds and dandelion thingies dancing in a gentle breeze whilst the sparrows are flitting, the people are sat sitting and life isn't tooooo bad compared with ... and ...... and ....! Sunday will be wonderful!

[John Sullivan]

Ahhhh, the sparrows flitting and the people sitting, how lovely! And rhymes so fitting!

read moreAhhhh, the sparrows flitting and the people sitting, how lovely! And rhymes so fitting!

Here we get hawks, and they just cruise on the air currents in lazy circles, nonchalantly but with great panache. Maybe the perfect summer bird. Here's to a wonderful Sunday, Ms. Emma!

[emmajoygreen]

I can make rubbish out of virtually anything. Given up trying to make sense, as you might have noticed, sir. Enjoy the day - tis unique, you know so isn't judgemental, just be you and sing a song of sensibility or sensitivity - depending on the mood. :)

[John Sullivan]

But making rubbish out of anything is how poems grow feathers and take wing, that and songs to sing, this, that, and other things. Or something.

Thank you for your kindness, Emma.

[emmajoygreen]

Something is better than nothing, yes?

[emmajoygreen]

Hopefully you're on the mend and feeling more comfortable. :)

[Gregoria Ahmed]

It’s raw, fierce, and painfully beautiful. I felt the weight in every line. The disorientation, the cold, the aching question at the end. You faced the storm and shaped it into something unforgettable. Thank you for sharing this piece John. You’ve weathered so much, and you’re still writing. That’s courage.

[John Sullivan]

You're so very kind, Ms. Gregoria! Thank you for reading.

[Gregoria Ahmed]

It’s always an honor.