The Lifeboats

This is not the Titanic and
That was not an iceberg

You are perfectly capable
Of finding your own lifeboat

If and when you stop
Skipping like a record needle
Caught at the scratch,

The struggle to disagree
But not to judge
To know one's own self
And accept there are other possibilities

For every man, woman and child
Like me, grabbing and clutching for someone's hand
Finding comfort in just that
The effort, to save and be saved

Together

How many?  How many
Hear the alarm and choose
To return to sleep, alone

How many?

Whisper,
Thank goodness
This is over
I couldn't abide
Another day
Of this

Ship