Trouble in Paradise

We all inhabit a sinking ship, and
when will we admit it?
In admitting, there is possibility.

Refusal to admit reveals itself
through continued use of
a glue made of memory and fear,
the way "it used to be" and
"how we used to do it" because it "worked",
and finely ground ashes
of old formulas and shattered dreams,
mixed into a thick paste that unfortunately
dissolves in sea-water.

The substance we apply to
wounds in our vessel is eaten
by salt and many other things.

"If only we put on more!" we cry.
"If only we put it on better!" we shout.
"If only we used it differently!" we insist.
"If only the shoe of blindness would
fit the foot of loving!" we lament.

It's strange how we seem to sink
in spite of our best efforts.

The desire to hold on
is finely tuned in all of us
and so we will not see, nor tolerate,
the other ship that has been
waiting patiently not far away.

We will not hear the voices of
our children calling to us
across the water.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2020

That's a great verse. Thank you!

 

Last edited by a moderator: May 3, 2022