Switching
Adjust boom windward
As storm approaches—
Gales and waves toss us
Like a child’s toy boat at bath time
Can you see the storm approaching?
Jibe, tack, plant cautious feet
Don’t play around like a child at bath time
Mind the mature and callous sea
The crew, longing for land, plants cautious feet
After breathing seasons of salty air
Stranded with thirst in a callous sea
Windswept, sunburned, and surrounded
After salty seasons of standing aft beside rudder
With keen eyes, wiser ones keep watch
Windswept, sunburned, surrounded–
Lest we end up in irons, going nowhere
With keen eyes, wiser ones exchange places
After long years of standing aft at rudder
Caught up in the movement of going nowhere
The journey repeats, swapping places, switching storms
***