sailing
these seas
brings
images
of centuries
of
lost souls
souls
adrift
in life
each
seeking
a port
of
true hope
a place
where
the endless waves
of
human trials
cease
a place
of
calm sailing
and
then
of
rest
i’ve begun
to wonder
about
the way light
leans
into the sea
at the end
of the day
and
how quickly night’s
cold breath
chills even
the warmest hands
surrounding each soul
with
a primal fear
that the light
might not return
i have my own doubts
about its return
especially as i stare
into the darkness
and hear
what i imagine
is death
moving to doors
unlocked of life
i bolt my door
hoping
not to be
too late
copyright 2012 cwmartin
the sea is salty
because angels collect tears
from survivors’ eyes
copyright cwmartin 2011
even
in this safe harbor
waves of memories
make their way in
jostling
old dreams
of adventure
on life’s high seas
but
anchored to this point
thoughts of exploring
uncharted waters
pass quickly
for the storms
at sea
would crush these
aging hulls
and leave only
another shipwreck
copyright cwmartin 2011
hold fast
if you wish
to the rusted chains
that anchor you
to your haven
of self-certainty
and denial
for outside
the sacred stones
that line the walls
forming the port
is a sea of knowledge
it may be best
that you stay
and
not sail these waters
for this sea
has been known
to swallow
a mind
like yours
whole
copyright cwmartin 2011
the night
has found
your dreams
and returned
them to you
you need not
wander alone
along the shore
of expectation
skipping stones of desire
into a murky sea
come lie with me
before the dawn
touches your lips
and before the sun
tolls the noon day bell
breathe in the beauty
of the gift
of a day
with love
the night
was the color
of velvet
ribbons
of light
wove patterns
of fear
into their eyes
as they stood
staring
into the dark
praying
for safe return
knowing there
would be none
whispers
had begun
all were lost
the sea
once again
had claimed
its prize
a son
a husband
a father
would not
unwrap
the treasures
beneath the tree
nor would they
ever see
a child’s delight
upon this
holy night
nor would
one person
hear their pleas
for god
to spare
the rod
soon
the only voice
i have
will be
what’s left
upon these pages
and i wonder
like
every poet
who will read
or
care
that my love
and
life
are here
not in the grave
or
with the ashes
spread
ceremoniously
across the sea
look for me
not there
but here
for
this is
all
that will be
left
of
me
there was a man
i shall call him
everyman
since his name
is not important
nor shall i tell you
his religion
since all religions
would have led him
to the same fate
so it was that everyman
came to the sea of death
seeking the monster
that had destroyed
all that was sacred to him
the smell of rotting fish
and sulfur filled the air
and he could barely breathe
but his anger was so great
that he waded into the sea
seeking his revenge
his flesh burned
but he refused
to give up his quest
soon his skin became numb
like a heart that’s filled with hate
and he was able to dive
beneath the surface
into its depths
with each dive his skin
became more adapted
protected by an armor
that he felt was righteousness
and so it was
for years
and one day he came upon the beast
and slayed it without mercy
the waters around him filled with blood
and he swam towards
the shore
but as he approached
screams could be heard
that the beast had returned
and in the reflection of the moon
he could see
that he had
become
the
beast
Read Between the Minds 