The Poetry of Lent: Boats

Boats

(Mark 4: 35-41)

The wind comes up quick in the shallow waters of Moriches Bay.

The waves rise and swell and turn frothy white,

And a curtain of fog

Descends.

 

What was fun just minutes before becomes fearful.

 

Soaked

With salty spray,

We head our little boat toward remembered land,

Praying,

Jesus keep us safe,

Keep us safe.

 

This is a begging, perhaps,

A plea,

A command,

Jesus keep us safe, and

It is ours.

 

But likewise

Does not Jesus turn to us?

And do we obey?

~Alice Schultze