I’ve always felt at home upon the sea
More so than on land
Even in a storm
Much more like life to me
The roaring waves
Beyond the shifting sand:
A wilderness unbound by borders
Here where all lands end;
Here where there be
Dragons, regions uncharted, and
Beyond it all, below – the Underworld
Past Scylla and Charybdis I have sailed
On into the Bermuda Triangle
My trim was off, mists grew
My compass failed
But still I made it through all-but unscathed
Tsunamis I have surfed, but none so harsh
As they could drown me;
I was made for this
Like many a woman before me
Whose fate was sealed: to stand, to wait and wish
For creatures of ill-omen women we
Were once believed
By mariners to be, or
Lusty sirens luring them
To sleep eternal deep beneath the sea
But I don’t fear opinions of men,
Or anyone
Who would keep me ashore
I’ve built a boat that’s all my own;
With sails for wings I’ll soar:
And when the sea is calm I’ll know
I’ve circumnavigated life
The cycle turned
Full circle, brings me surely, brings me safe
If not to harbour then at least to peaceful waters, freed from strife.
Written for dVerse ‘Come Sail‘ hosted by Sarah Southwest, who called for us to write a poem inspired by boats.
And when the sea is calm I’ll know
I’ve circumnavigated life
I love this line – life as a journey of discovery, a sea voyage – requiring bravery and resourcefulness if we are going to navigate it successfully. Thank you for sharing this one!
Well, this is certainly all-encompassing, and made me happy to travel along. Thanks.
I am pleased you enjoyed the journey!
A very powerful self-confident poem. I was captivated by your love for the sea. Being a land lubber I can’t imagine the joy you experience. You ending was a perfect compliment to your poem.
Dwight
Thank you, I am pleased you enjoyed the poem.
My pleasure!
Wow, it makes me want to travel the seas and get my wet suit on.
Nicely written.
Thank you. Maybe it’s something about the lockdowns we have all experienced that makes the sea seem so enticing right now.
You’re most welcome.
You are so right!
Love the sea 🌊! At the lake and any water will do for now-:)
I’ve built a boat that’s all my own;
With sails for wings I’ll soar:
Your poem backs this up. Very strong.
Thank you. Sometimes life’s storms make us stronger.
Beautifully written. Your poem reminded me of several Anglo-Saxon poems I have taught, with a common theme of life at sea, or a longing to be at sea.
Thank you. I did study Anglo-Saxon language literature at university, a long time ago, but maybe some of that inspired me, subconsciously.
Wow! Great take:3
Thank you! I am pleased you enjoyed it 🙂
“Even in a storm
Much more like life to me
The roaring waves
Beyond the shifting sand:” marvellous metaphor for life, Ingrid. Enjoyed it very much 🙂
Thanks – I’m glad you did!
:>)
It’s strange, isn’t it, that boats are always ‘she’ but women are not tolerated anywhere near them by sailors. Yet another superstition that makes women anathema. Good for you building your own boat and going to alone 🙂
Yes, we were just supposed to be empty vessels waiting at home! It can’t have been much fun being a woman even a century ago, and unfortunately in many places around the world this situation still hasn’t changed 🙁
You’re right.
I loved the imagery, this took me on a sea voyage.💛
An impressive proclamation – well done.
Thank you 😊
“I’ve built a boat that’s all my own;
With sails for wings”
excellent lines that set the tone of the whole poem
Thank you so much!
Heart touchy !!..Nice one.
Thank you!!
True wildness you can only find at sea… there is a sense of mythology in your writing.
Thank you! I am a fan of mythology, The Odyssey in particular 🌊
Love the way you expressed the fullness of the circle. I rode the waves of your sea faring soul with you.
Pleased you enjoyed it 🌊
Wonderful ❣️ love this ❣️
Thank you so much 😊
Absolutely gorgeous! Just as powerful as the image of that wave accompanying it. 🙂
Thank you so much 😊
You’re welcome. I’m looking forward to reading more of your work. 🙂
And when the sea is calm I’ll know
I’ve circumnavigated life
These are good lines…..