Sailing

I am adrift on this ocean of life
So are you, did you know that
My sailing craft is called the part of me that wants things
That’s a strange name, isn’t it
She carries me
But how can I sail in this wind when I do not know how to sail

The part of me that wants things
Is so determined you know
Strongly built, fitted to an old design
Do you recognise her, is she familiar to you
Then I ask you how does this craft steer
How can I sail in this wind when I do not know how to sail

Perhaps there is design behind the passage we take
The Part of Me That Wants Things seems to recognise this
But she doesn’t speak of it
There are currents and oceanic patterns attractive to her,
She flows with them
Full sails set

There are other currents of equal strength, but she resists them
Tacking this way, tacking that
Sails flat, sails flat
That’s a funny way to steer, isn’t it
Steering by mood, by comfort, such a particular course
How do I sail in this wind when I do not know how to sail

Well I have noticed something, because I have been watching
And it is a terrifying thing to know
The Part of Me That Wants Things is sailing in circles
She is spellbound
Around and around and around and around
Spellbound

But perhaps that is secure to you
A charted course through pleasant seas
Retreating back when storms have passed
To that even tack of harmony, what a nice place to be
Around and around and around and around
Spellbound

Perhaps my craft should be called Desire
You may call yours Attachment
Opinion, Identity
Yet, I call her
The Part of Me That Wants Things
That suits her

Can you see how strong she is, your craft,
How set in her ways
Though the weather may change day by day
As the scenes you pass carry you away
While destinations dreams continue their play
Of the hope of fine shores

Well, I have seen a tantalising thing
Revealed in the lighthouse shining
In glimpses, intense and enduring
A different chart unfurling
A song on my lips, which wants to sing
I do know how to sail in this wind

It is such an incredible thing
It involves jumping in
It involves abandoning
The sailing craft and all her winds
I know how to leave you
How to step off, how to swim

How to drown in the joy
that remains within
How to die into that
How to shine alive
And I will tell you in 2005
If you want to know

But perhaps you prefer to keep sailing
In this wind
Even though you do not know how to sail
Then, I wish you bon voyage
I wish you fine weather
My brother and sister, sailors together

©Derek Thorne 2001