Some Little Thoughts

It slipped through the icy water:
The sloop was on a reach;
A following swell, nudged it along
And the helmsman had no option:
He sang no joyful song,
But waited for what he knew would come. 

He went with the wind and the sea:
This helmsman who, like you and me,
Knew what the future would surely be. 

He went with the wind and the sea,
Until he and his little boat fell off the earth;
And, then, they were gone:
Never to return;
Without one note
Of one song. 

There is that finality to life
For, though we act as helmsmen,
And may think that we do steer,
In truth, we merely are crew,
Not knowing what to fear,
But fearing what we do not like to hear. 

We go with the wind and the sea,
We, helmsmen, you and me;
We know what the future will surely be. 

We go with the wind and the sea,
On a course not plotted by us;
And, then, we are gone:
Never to return,
Never to hear one more note
Of one song. 

We need a mental crutch to enjoy this life,
In this place, home, so full of strife,
We know our mental limitations.
Life’s answers? Merely speculations.
Religious dogma? No irrefutable fact.
We may relish life’s stresses, but death never acquiesces. 

We go with the wind and the sea,
Not helmsmen, really,
For we shall never be free. 

We go with the wind and the sea,
Knowing well what the future will surely bring
For you and for me:
Though we do hear,
We cannot steer,
As death draws, inevitably, near. 

In truth, we sit and wait,
And our sloop will sink into the sea,
Never to set sail, or ponder life’s mystery.
We will not sing another note
Nor feel the wind at nape or throat. 

We go with the wind and the sea,
For the last time, you and me,
Knowing that there is no future to taste or to see. 

We go with the wind and the sea;
No turning back; nothing to feel; nothing concealed.
Far from all cares, hopes and prayers;
And, then, it is gone:
Without one word
Of life’s song.