Tempests

Life is full of changes in the weather.

Brittle, fractured thoughts

spill in regretful words

as the glass of harmony

and trust is fractured

again.

 

We sail around the idyllic

islands of devotion

enjoying the warmth

of the Mediterranean sun,

but hit many squalls

along the way.

 

All hands on deck

as panic sets in

and we do what we must

to survive.

To save ourselves from

being swamped,

washed overboard

in the swirl of accusatory,

hurtful slights.

 

We cry out in pain,

strike back,

reach for the harness

of retaliation

and dig deep

into our memories

for the saving logic of

the day skipper's manual.

 

The storm abates

and we lay on deck,

dripping wet,

exhausted,

wrung out

and disorientated.

 

Calm descends,

the sun reappears

to dry our tears

and our fears,

so we get back to our feet

brace ourselves,

reach for the ropes

and set sail again.

 

13/02/19

Author's Note

Reviews

[john l smith]

I would say age, experience, luck and desire, are some of the necessary ingredients needed to head back out to sea
It is sometimes quite a rough sea and can often use a good dose of sunshine

Dave B

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes I'd have to agree. Cheers Dave.

[kentuck14]

John,
A well executed poem. Nice imagery. While life can be a series of storms I like how at the end you realize we have no choice but to set sail again. Those, who through fear, indifference, or anger never do so must sit on the shore and feel sorry for themselves. A more sorry existence than any storm at sea.
Thanks for sharing.
Tom

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Exactly that Tom, many thanks!

[Chris Shaw]

Life for you. Weathering it all. Your lines really well written. I am very much a fair weather sailor, I've learned not to rock the boat. Some people can't help themselves, they take a sailboat out to sea in a storm.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I started sailing lessons on a nearby reservoir a few years ago. We were to learn capsizing on day four. I was in the water from day one and loved the thrill of the boat rising up and tipping.

[Chris Shaw]

You like a bit of danger. I like a boat with an engine and cruising down the river. I like to see how far I have to swim if I end up in the water. I'm also a good swimmer :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

The middle of a reservoir is ok. No real currents and you can see the bank although it is some way off. I am a good swimmer too which helps because I don't panic.

[Lorry]

This whole fractured trust seems to be the new black in this fashion show of pretence that we call life. I know that sounds like someone who got outthe wrong side of bed way too early, but the truth is I am done sailing and have found a new acceptance that I am not going to change my whacky ways any time soon.
It just makes me seasick and pine for solid ground once more. And now that I have accepted it, the game ends, with no one knowing who won.
If only I had seen earlier it was so ceaseless, I would have gave up sooner and stressed less.
I hear your words loudly, just keep a look out for those rocks and the sirens call :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah the siren's call is indeed to be feared as tis a way to the exit Lorry. I guess we all look back and think 'what if' but life is imperfect these days as we all expect more because of the images we are fed daily. Many thanks Lorry.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the weather of life...the journey, the sailing through weather, storms, unhappiness then the calm, the smiles, the contentment...and then more storms...it is a never ending cycle...are we strong enough captains to steer our ship through? the more fractures, the harder it is to keep the boat afloat.
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah tis but entropy, the energy of the universe being organised then dissipated in line with laws of 'nature'. Many thanks again Jacob.