When I Slip My Moorings

When I slip my moorings
and this vessel disappears
please remember
it was empty from the first.
Still the light shines on the water
in a way that moves your heart.
Still my love shines all around you
in a tidal reckoning.
If you wish to honour me
become an ocean-going boat yourself.
Take passengers, rescue the drowning,
let everyone have fun who can
(even at your own expense)
and let the others not go down
no matter how many nor how hard
it seems to stay afloat with them aboard.
Although I have not been myself
so well-found nor so sound
please forgive me, yourself, and us all
because together we can weather any storm.
27 October 2022
Texas Jim
Prospect, Nova Scotia
www.granitecoast.ca