Anchors

I’m going to drop my anchor here.

I have gone far too long without

stopping. I’ve floated thousands

of miles since I have left the shore.

I haven’t seen any place to land

since the day I went off to sea.

I have endured many storms.

I have survived storms that have

swallowed up the biggest of ships.

Despite the broken bones, scars,

bruises, I’ve grown to know that

every storm will eventually pass,

and when it does, I can take a deep

breath of the fresh ocean air,

as the gentle breeze brushes

my face. I can look at the tranquil

sea and see the reflection of a man

with a purpose and a will to live.

When the tide is high and my ship

starts to sway, I hold on tight.

I brace for impact. When it’s

over, I stand tall and begin

to feel the warm sun come out

and burn the dark clouds away.

The days of struggle become

a source of strength and hope.

The gloomy days don’t last

when they are faced with

a glowing moon and stars

coming alive. I have witnessed

many ships wreck along the way;

how do they wreck? I wish I knew.

I’ve seen the biggest of waves

start from the smallest of splashes.

I have seen a peaceful sea

turn violent. Below me is

a murky world unknown

to man: a place I wish to never

go. I don’t know what’s lurking

below, but eventually, I will

because all things out of sight

will rise to the surface.

I look ahead and stare at many

miles of a vast sea that breathes.

During this expedition, I’ve never

looked back to think how fast time

has swam by. There’s no point in

moving on when I don’t know

if my past has washed away

with the wake I’ve created.

I fear that the memories I have

made have faded away because

I have spent countless days

thinking about a future so distant.

Surely, the 31 years of my life

have been all that they needed

to be. At least, I see a place to land.

I’m going to drop my anchor

here while the water is calm

and the sky is clear. I have many

miles left to go, but it won’t

matter where I dock if I can’t

look back or know how to stop.