(This poem has taken close to half a century to write. Yes, it is about a relationship. No, the promise of the concluding stanza was not realised)
I’m deep-keeled,
Stable in strong winds
But slow to come about
In lighter airs.
You are narrower,
Crafted for speed,
Responsive to every
Wind shift.
I try to keep pace
Using every strategy to
Maximise boat speed.
But it’s no use.
You edge away
Until
You
Are
Just
A
Speck
On my horizon.
But
Sudden
A black cloud bank rolls in
A gale screams from the south
You come about
No choice but to run
Everything lashed down
Tight.
I manoeuvre to windward
And you’re safe.
Now we surf the waves
Home
Together.
Philip Jeffreys