The Unexpected Joy of Drifting

Cut the ropes.
Drift.
Let the currents carry you.
At their speed.
In their direction.
Stop fighting. Understand
the river knows the way,
knows where all things end.

You will be surprised
(I always am)
at the relief of not fighting
tides and currents.
You will learn the coastlines
as you never have before.
You will learn a peace
you have resisted for far too long,

one you always suspected was there,
but never trusted enough to allow.

About this poem

A poem about the rivers and rafts, after a morning thinking about the novel “Huck Finn” for some unexplainable reason. A poem about letting go of the illusion of control. A poem about trusting God. Poetry is never about one thing.

The photograph was taken at the tip of Provincetown, Mass. For no discernible reason, it is one of my favorites.

Be well. Travel wisely,

Tom