how to navigate

***

all aboard

says the captain

we joyously oblige

all smiles and laughter and expectation

slow ever so slow the craft starts

(it will pick up speed later, we

hope

else be no fun at all)

but mere moments in

a crash, splintering shattering a

smattering of pokey brokey stones puncturing

panic sets in

sink ship (without even lip slip)

all overboard, plunge in frigid

else stand on deck

watch gurgle up from hull

all churchill and no jonah

(though down to belly like jonah i go)

slow ever so slow submerge

now ankles, now knees, now waist, now neck

(still i hold on to

hope)

***