Raft

I live my life upon a home-made raft.  
Much tested in the doldrum and the storm,  
this bravest of ships, this noblest of craft,  
hewn from wise words, life bent, and battle worn. 

For at the stern is the lesson at hand 
to be forward looking, not to look back.  
For the glow of nostalgia hides quicksand 
where the unwary sink, lost to the black. 

Nor stop to look to the side, where phantom 
islands shimmer to distract and ensnare,  
to depress or inflate us with random 
wild thoughts of what we imagine is there. 

Mid-raft, are the trusted oars of the words 
give your all to that which you can control. 
And let the truth that it’s not what others 
do, it’s what you do that counts, ease life’s toll. 

And at the bow, is the wisdom to fill
my heart with hope, to be grateful each day.  
For my craft is afloat seaworthy still 
and I am its captain finding my way. 

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My poem Raft will have it’s debut reading at the ‘Queer The Shelves’ Book Festival, 28th/29th May 2022 at Waterstones Nottingham.

Copyright © 2016 – 2022 Anna Larner. All rights reserved. No reproduction without written permission.