Donations are essential to keep Write Out Loud going    

The Distant Lifeboat

Once all our honey has been spread
once the little moments are learned by heart
routine a debt that stalks our steps
and suggestions nag more than they ought
then the waiting boat will take me
to a wooden shack by the ocean
and there, I’ll start again, alone

Once your touch no longer prickles
once our conversations are to walls not through them
no sound but a ticking house that counts us down
and my advice is not heard or welcome
then the waiting car will take me
a handsome driver spurned from some vintage memory
and there, I’ll start again, without you

But darling, until that time, I’ll stay right here
Darling, until that time, I’m yours yet to discover
unwrap me, keep unwrapping me

Once the laughter seems decades dead
once each tick feels designed to grate
the breath of each day too thick to breathe
and nowhere left to sit in peace
then the waiting boat will take me
to a beach shack by the pale ocean
and there, I’ll find my youth again, alone

Once your rough hands feel me no more
once all the years of the love add up to nought
in a clockwork life that subtracts our bodies
If every word becomes functional but formless
then the waiting car will steal me
caught in the still bright eyes of its reckless driver
and there, I’ll find all that’s lacking, without you

But darling, until that time, please stay right here
Darling, until that time, I’m yours, taste every mouthful
unwrap me, keep unwrapping me

The waiting boat can wait a while longer
That idling engine 
will have to wait a good while longer...

 

[2021]

strange promisesExit Strategy

◄ Beds, Hearts and Books

Chlorine ►

Comments

Profile image

Tom

Mon 3rd May 2021 11:34

Thank you Tony, Stephen, Holden, Keith, Aviva and Ghazala for the likes and for taking the time to read.

Thanks for the very kind comment Kieth, I really wanted it to be ambiguous and dealing in the grey area of relationships and how we navigate our path through these lives our ours.

Profile image

keith jeffries

Wed 28th Apr 2021 15:29

Tom,
This poem really intrigues me as I could respond to it in a number of ways. I suppose it depends on the reader's interpretation. The distant lifeboat is for me the journey to an eternal existence which in the poem is the wooden shack by the ocean. The ultimate destination from a restless world where we are tempted to linger and savour the last drop of our time here. I could be wrong but am curious to know.

One of the best poems I have read in a long time.
Thank you for this

Keith

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Find out more Hide this message