Sink or Swim

The break up of relationships affect more than the primary combatants. Another written in a personal vein.

The sea of storms came in

To batter our barley coast,

I was determined to sink or swim,

You to be drowned, and lost.

The lightning struck at our moorings,

The thunder silenced our needs,

The wind howled out our candles

And darkness caught at our creed.

 

But he was tossed in the fury,

Our love, our darling boy,

He clung to the drifting flotsam,

He clung to the well-loved toy.

One minute in every moment

Is lost to the best of men,

One moment of rage and anger

Cost me my lovely son.

 

The years went by in a whisper

A whisper of wind, and gone,

One moment, stark with lightning

Remains, while the stars shine on.

We touched for a parting moment,

We caught, touched fingers then leapt

Each to our storm forever;

- I reached for my son, and wept.

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Kristallo]

This is absolutely profound. All it takes is a moment to lose yourself- to lose everything. This is flawlessly written, and just as skillful as anything i've ever read by any one of the great, timeless poets. You have a genuine gift, i'm glad to have found your work.

[Amila Jay]

Wow. This is absolutely great!! love the write very much. a lot of emotions flowing in the poem. Beautiful :))

[...]

Absolutely beautiful!!!!!

[Leigh]

Barley coast is a good phrasing, this is so deep and meaningful

[Tate Morgan]

I cant find a gentler rendering of a soul than this

[Emerald Seas]

David, you are a talented poet. These pieces that express a personal experience are even more impressive. The pain and tragedy of separation/divorce is felt in each stanza. Very vivid and raw.