The Storm

Drooping eyelids on an open sea,
Drifting as the waves crash down.
Pushing back and forth,
Back and forth –

Thoughts slipping away with each oar stroke,
Guiding the boat through the water.
Gliding back and forth,
Back and forth –

Fighting to stay the course given free,
Fearing, loathing, tumbling, falling.
Sailing back and forth,
Back and forth –

Holding on tight as the wave rises,
Water falling across my face.
Crushing down and down,
Down and down –

Failing the course like Odysseus,
Finding only choking silence.
Pulling down and down,
Down and down.