Storms

I don’t know where I am yet heading The storms push relentlessly on I’m point man for natures black fury Safe harbor and peace are all gone

No cease to be found in the tirade No lull between storms for a breath No time yet to think past this moment No rock found to sit on for rest

New day holds blood as a warning Each wave seems to reach a new peak Swamping and slamming and drowning Winds rise to a wretched new shriek

What once was safety surrounding And pathways one knew so well Has become a forest of water The landscape resembling hell

Stay sane in this cold and dark water All sense and direction are low Harder yet to stay in the rowboat With someone you no longer know

As partners that once were united Best interests of each at the heart Did not see the enemy coming Which finally tore them apart

Outer forces were always the danger And suspects from places we knew While inside the dark depression Caught hold and steadily grew

“Can’t row anymore”, so he shouted, heard o’er natures furious blast “You alone have to get us to safety”. No rest from the nightmares that passed

All around me is scattered the litter Family, friends well-meaning and right Offered safety devices to help us Could not see the enemy’s fight

To follow the course as he planned it Depression and darkness his guide I know he is lost in the forest The womb is no place to hide.

To stop rowing with storms all around you, Run, hide under your safe mental bed Could not possibly bring you to safety The blackness is inside your head

So, alone I will keep right on rowing To weather the storms ugly rake And I will emerge all the stronger For the ocean was only a lake.

Judi Opager, March 2021