Let’s take Mark Twain’s challenge: “throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds” in our sails…
The air is fresh. Our lungs swell
with the wind that fills the sails of our boat. The sky is bright. Our vision is sharp. We look ahead at the cleared way. The wind is pushing us further
from the safety of the shore, out to a calm sea. Our feet are firm on the floor
of our steady boat. We are so alone, we can hear our own breathing. The air clears out our memories for this fresh re-start.
Now that we are out at sea, the salt water mist in the air lands on our lips. Salty sweet, it tastes of all the foods we enjoy, in one symphony of satisfying ecstasy.
Along comes the inevitable storm. Who doesn’t like a roaring storm? This is our daydream,
so we stand tall in the mountainous waves, among bolts of lightning, and even get struck numerous times. We revel in the electric energy, enjoying each moment of being charged. Rain scrubs our bodies with invigorating massage. We enjoy the feel of each muscle fiber balancing us on this rough sea.
Now all is calm again. We can only see the horizon
though we look all around. We’re here now, one with all, and all is nothing.
We take the paddles that we just found, and sweep away the water to where life is. We feel hunger and thirst and yearning. We immerse ourselves in the hustle and bustle of the flashing lights and crossing paths as we seek satiation. The rhythm of life beats in our hearts. What we see and hear fills our veins. We mentally record what we now have: wisdom that we carry from having been at sea, and thus we are now immigrants in this place called Life.
But to present one’s self as an immigrant to life
is to put on a pretentious mask. We are all immigrants in this place called Life. We rip off any mask and breastplate that we find on each other, and expose each others soft underbellies. There, we reveal thoughts we have been harboring, which we must now bare and share, because keeping them covered robs us of life, and robs everyone of our gifts.
I had such fun with this one. I worked on the Dungeon Prompt just because I liked the other writing that I read at that website. I wound up being swept away when writing this one. I look forward to finding out where another Dungeon Prompt takes me.
13 responses to “Mark Twain’s Challenge”
[…] Mark Twain’s Challenge – Weaver Grace […]
LikeLike
Excellent take on the prompt! I feel my underbelly exposed as we speak. Thanks for participating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the inspiration 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful!! Just love the feeling of sailing:)
LikeLike
Thank you. I’m glad that you, too, have been on quite a voyage through life.
LikeLike
and even did some sailing on a catamaran along the way:) so I could so relate to your imagery. Well done!!
LikeLike
[…] Mark Twain’s Challenge – Weaver Grace […]
LikeLike
beautiful poem, I love the transition, the different feelings and take on the boat with the differing elements
LikeLike
Thank you for taking the time to enjoy my poem. I am glad you stopped by.
LikeLike
I look forward to more x
LikeLike
“Rain
scrubs our bodies
with invigorating massage.”
Love that line! That instantly called to mind the times I’ve been standing in a downpour and how wonderful and alive I felt at those moments.
Great poem!
LikeLike
I had such fun with this one. I worked on the Dungeon Prompt just because I liked the other writing that I read at that website. I wound up being swept away when writing this one. I look forward to finding out where another Dungeon Prompt takes me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Mark Twain’s Challenge […]
LikeLike