A Paper Anchor Poem by Jen Chen

Unfurrow the mast, ready the sails

If only to be
once again
Wrapped in the loving arms of Mother Earth
Whispering in the ear of life


If only to be
not marooned in this misery

Relief, a paper anchor
Drifting far from home
Pushed and pulled by the currents

The waves lash and pummel the deck

The jailor cackles while you joust with the elements

Sanity, a frayed rope
Unraveling at the edges
Clinging to anything in desperation

Infinitely Tethered to the shifting shapeless nothing

The sun beats down mercilessly
Never resting, always burning

Security, a thin worn blanket
Tiny and fragile
Broken threads and gaping holes

The corroded mast cries
Canvas cloth against strong gulls

Destruction, the beating wind
Tearing through carefully laid plans
Cutting through the soul in every direction

This godforsaken grave of turbulent tides

The dingy dips and shudders
Shouldering the weight of the world

Sorrow, the tumultuous water
A mirage of forgotten memories
Consuming all save the sky

if only to be
swept ashore
Once and for all


Fatigue, the wooden masts
Forever tilted by rough seas
Violently clawing at the sky

Unfurrow the mast, ready the sails

Sailing from sorrow, sailing to sunrise

Relief, a paper anchor
Drifting far from home
Pushed and pulled by the currents