The Discreet Helmsman Poem by sreelekha premjit

Have we met before?
I asked the helmsman who steered us through
& he smiled enigmatically.
have you helped me before?
i asked again unable to quell my curiosity
did you notice the hand that pulled you up from the muddle?
that patted you, to keep you going?
that held you, when you broke down?
that waved at you, when you thought you were alone?

as I looked at him in wonder
he vanished
and we were at the ferry!