Sailing through Life's Storms

This poem compares cancer to sailing through a wild storm, sitting still with no wind, to waiting for healing, harnessing the wind in the sails, to moving toward my destination. In August 2024, I received the bad news that the blood cancer, Multiple Myeloma, which I had treated with radiation a year earlier, had spread through my spine and ribs. I have been silent online for the past year, focusing on regaining my health. The Chemotherapy I received over the past year successfully killed all the cancer in my body, though the painful damage to my bones remains. I wrote this poem before I received this news. I feel well enough to recommence my poetry with this apt poem, which has sat in my draft folder for over a year. I was inspired to write this poem by Jessica Watson, who sailed solo nonstop around the world at 16 and Michael Singer's podcast - Navigating the Ocean of Life. Sailing through Life's Storms I set sail, solo, skipper of my yacht Blue skies, a gentle breeze, sailing with ease With other yachts, I tack across the bay Skimming across the rippled waves. The bay is calm and peaceful today I sail smoothly at a comfortable pace Relaxed and happy, I sail effortlessly Catching the breeze on this sun-kissed bay. I'm outward bound on a long voyage I've set my sails for the open ocean I'll be at the mercy of nature's elements The excitement and terror of her power. The wind picks up and invigorates I skim across small choppy waves Dip and rise with a moderate swell Picking up speed, with the wind in my sails. My sea-faring skills play their part Coordinates set on my nautical chart I pull the sail tight to catch the wind's force The rudder is fixed for my destination port. My skill as a skipper will determine If I use the winds and current to my favour Or will I stall and be swamped, Capsize or drown, never to be found? Nature is not under my control I am not God, just a sailing soul I cannot command the wind and waves To be still and grant me safe passage. I harness the wind's energy at every opportunity To stay on course for my end port Improving my skills as a seaworthy skipper At one with my yacht, we move together. A mighty storm came my way With little time to prepare I throw out the dragnet, lower the sails Batten down the hatches and secure the cabin. I cannot harness the power of that violent wind The strong current, the thunderstorm I'm at the mercy of the sea As it threatens to batter my yacht and me. The storm will pass, but will I be harmed? I fear it could destroy my vessel Relentless waves, the surge and pitch Violently being tossed about. The storm moves on, the ocean now a pond I sit and wait, my ears pricked For the clinck of the ropes against the mask The lap of waves against the hull. The doldrums, the calm after the storm Sitting in nothingness, impatient and bored Oh, to move forward, backwards or sideways I could die here waiting on this dead, still ocean. A beacon bobs in the distance The bow pitches up and down The compass swings as my vessel sways My voyage continues with me at the helm. My vessel scuds along as the wind picks up Heeling with its mighty force Just me and my yacht and the vast, lonely ocean Praying for safe passage till my voyage ends. The winds of life will blow Its current will pull and drag me Forces of nature are in control I'm at the mercy of life's open ocean. Life is a voyage that can toss too and fro It often sails beyond what is familiar Our life skills are tested and honed The excitement and terror of the unknown. Beverley Joy © 2024 Simply Story Poetry. All Rights Reserved. Image by Beverley Joy. You can read or listen to my poems on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Simply Story Poetry⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠simplystorypoetry.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Thank you for listening.