Cresting the Ninth Wave

 

 

 

 

 

 

When evening sky foreshadowed certain night
I’d tighten sail to strike for harbour wall,
I feared the dark – had seen its evil rites
And shrank from its hallucinating thrall.
On Dante’s chart I once steered to life’s rim
Where dark sea fiends and beasts by Hydra bred
Brought thoughts of death without a lover’s hymn
Alone, as sad regrets dirged low instead.
I fought Beelzebub where swart tides run,
Mephisto’s breath befouled the air around;
To dull the pain I poured more amber rum,
Dire liquids deep are sea and grog – both drown.
For haze of days I drifted weak, deranged
As Sirens promised peace in Neptune’s bed
But Instinct cast a line – I grasped. Redeemed!
Though thoughts of future’s charted course brought dread.
My rescue then a chance for change, I must
Appraise the steering of my life before;
I learned if heart was healed of succubus,
Satanic thoughts would trouble psyche no more.
So now when prow aims towards horizons dark
I welcome night, to blanket grateful day;
I smile aloft at stars bright guiding cirque,
My glad heart warms and speeds towards promised day.