At Sea: A Poem for Uncertain Times

Photo by Silje Lilly

At Sea

We are all at sea.

The horizon is fluid,

It’s mountains are 

Ever changing.

Squalls bring tomorrow 

into now.

We intertwine our limbs

Into the rigging

And hope the waves 

Don’t tear us at the seams,

As the celestial force of time

Crashes over our bows

And threatens our creaky hull

With a premature eternity 

We are all at sea.

Planning our routes by

Liquid landmarks.

A drift in a stillness

That stretches today 

Into starvation.

We sink our teeth 

Into the decks

And hope for waves

To vibrate in our gums,

Our souls thirst for wind

To catch our sails and move us 

From an eternal moment

Into change.


James 4:13-16

This poem about uncertainty, about unexpected change that can disturb our plans, and about a muting of hoped for change, seems to be appropriate during the current crisis. In our modern times, especially in developed countries, our routines and plans can seem so firm and can become our existential comfort. When things out of our control disturb them we can panic, become anxious, depressed, angry.

There have been a few people on social media encouraging everyone to use this time of enforced isolation to slow down, appreciate the little things and the simple things. This is great advice! And at this time where everyone has lost something, whether it be someone we love, times of community and family gatherings, work opportunities, investments etc... there's something I'd like to add. Try to use this time to learn to hold your plans loosely. To accept that we are at sea, and we live by liquid landmarks. We do not and should not have complete control over tomorrow, so try to hold plans more loosely. Try to allow yourself to adapt to change. Try to distinguish between the essentials you need to survive and the comfort to which you have become accustomed. This will help us garner thanks for what we do have, and to use this time to appreciate the simple things.

Oh, and spend time reading, not just watching Netflix. 

Take care of yourselves.