The Raft

Life in us is like the water in a river. - Thoreau

Float me.

Float me a raft.

Journey me to faith's dreams

So I can escape a hard life's screams.

Destiny's current will take me.

Guiding me to where I must go.

No matter how fast or slow.

Alone but strong.

Right and not wrong.

Up river or down.

Ending at truth's final, welcoming town.

Grant me favor's gracious ticket.

Passing through a hiatal Hell and transient thicket.

Take me beyond a Tinker's damn.

Let me be who I am.

Over muddy waters and baptism's font.

So I can be filled with promise and not hungry with want.

Bind it with immutable fate.

Before it gets too infernally late.

Float me.

Float me a raft.

One that knows the way.

In both never-ending night and promising day.

As justice has the last say.

Fashion me a loyal, loving craft.

A vessel of reason and mercy.

Steady in both rapids and falls.

No matter the current.

One that swims and doesn't sink.

Regardless of what the depths think.

As God unconditionally gives a nod and a wink.

The angels will paddle.

Breaching the unknown's cruel, relentless straddle.

Make it a boat that knows all Noah's things.

No matter what the flood brings.

Oh please float me.

Float me a raft.

One that will last.

In prayers asked.

So I can get past ...

Author's Note

"Life is grand, and so are its environments of Past and Future. Would the face of nature be so serene and beautiful if man's destiny were not equally so?" - Thoreau

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

You have posted a really superb image Pete to accompany your poem. It's a fine write, full of rich imagery and wisdom. A strong metaphor runs through its whole and when I read, it comes across like a prayer. We all need a little help to ride the tides of life. Lovely work.

Chris

[Pete]

thanks Chris. couldn't have summed it up better myself ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Now that pleases me also :))

[barleygirl]

I always liken life to a river & you've taken this idea to the outer limits. I love how you pile on each new expansion of imagery, showing more & more of the scene, as it unfolds in one's imagination. Your writing feels turbulent & difficult to ride, as it would be on a flimsy raft atop frothy waves. Always love your attention to word meanings & sounds, clearly a love affair with picking words to use for maximum effect (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

can't help but smile as i read your review. through my writing, you've gotten to know me better than i know myself. you rarely if ever miss anything - no oversight with you, just astute insight. i guess that's the beauty of writing - people can know us without ever having met us. thank you Margie. float on my friend... :)