Ebb And Flow Poem by Amy Serhienko

The tide flows out
and carries with it
her dreams, and hopes,
and fears.

They ride the waves,
the swirling current
polishing their edges,
guiding them to the sea gods.

They shimmer,
and their glow attracts a tattered ship –
sails at half mast,
a lone pirate aboard.

He scoops them up, entranced,
their subtle beauty
a dizzying distraction,
a delight to his eye.

He handles them coarsely,
his rough hands unaccustomed
to their delicate texture
and intoxicating aura.

He holds them to his heart,
absorbing their splendor,
wanting to cling to
the strength they impart.

But they blind him –
the path before him blurs,
and his landmarks fade before his eyes.
And he has a course to steer.

He says a quick prayer –
good luck, and Godspeed.
He kisses them softly,
and sets them afloat.

They bob gently,
with no direction, adrift,
‘til a current sweeps in
and carries them off.

And from far off, she can sense
the warmth of his kiss,
and the love in his prayer,
and the loss in his heart.