‘T’would seem quite true I never was
the captain of this ship,
though in my youth I did believe
in charting my own trip.

But Master Time has made it clear
how lowly is my rank.
I’ve silver locks and aching limbs
and soon I’ll walk the plank.

One thing I’ve learned as days go by
a‘sailin’ life’s rough seas:
It doesn’t work to push against
what comes upon the breeze.

For when I tried to turn the tide,
instead the tide turned me;
the Sea of Life dictates for us
in ways we can’t foresee.

‘T’is true that we are powerless
to stop waves high and low,
but we can choose to welcome both
the pleasure and the woe.

And so this ship does carry me
through seas both sweet and tart.
When I embrace my life, I live
with full, contented heart.


© by Cynthia Bernard.
Used here with the author’s permission.