The Unmoored Boat©

I foundered and tossed in the foam
Of the salt ocean
I struggled and fought the waves
That sought to upset me.
I rode the crests, shuddered
As the wash poured
And tried to drown me.
Rudderless, Skipperless swam I,
Memory of the safe harbor alive.
Safe walls, calm waters, others like me
All waiting to be used.
Forever guided by others
And always tethered
Securely to the firm shore.
No danger, no will either.
Only a senseless doing another's will,
Sailing routes previously charted.

And I
Disobedient, willful, yet as I wish to be.
My route my own,
Dangers, storms, tempests
All my own.
My uncharted territory,
Daring, unafraid and alone.?And only the hope
Of a better harbor
Leading me on....


..Mid sucking whirlpools
Made my way
Stayed in some calm
Tossed by an undercurrent
Passion and pain
Sprung a leak or two
Sailed on regardless:
Storm and calm
Tide and ebb
Eddy and swirl.
Onward ever onward
Shallows tried to snag

Ran aground on a beach
Grounded- my very identity at stake
A boat must move on.
And on.
Ride the waters
Travel- not be still
Not let barnacles grow
Lichen crowd out my existence
Choke me.

A boat must traverse
Salt stain her side
Weather her wood
Not the wind and the sea
Pilot fish follow
Flying fish smack
And the wind
Glorious free unbounded
Struggling
Flying.. moving.

An anchor found me.


©Alankrita Pandey