Siren’s Song



Siren’s Song

You turned over the controls 
old boat, steering wheel 
gripped by my sweaty palms
wheel tighter than cars 
boat barely moves. 
I overcompensate 
turn wheel too hard 
boat veers too far starboard
away from course. 

You’re a patient teacher
like our father who taught us 
to drive the car.  
Boat wheel in my hands, 
I learn to maneuver
out on the bay
a sense of mastery in the making, 
your instructions 
back to bay--
red-right-return. 

I cling to the joy of the sea 
you prematurely retired 
stave off brain tumor for 21 months
A miracle has arrived 
You cling to each negative MRI
like a man navigating uncharted waters 
you wager miracle as truth
brave as you are what else could you do 
buy that new bigger boat
it’s wheel I never held.


Author:
Cheryl Ponosian
On OMPJ  |  Instagram


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