now and again youll remember the sound 

of the sails waving helpless 

the cables wrapping one another into knots so strong 

youre lost at once if not tossed into the drink and lost beneath 

a substance so dark yet elementary 

four winds converge upon a point where your compass 

spirals round in useless motions mocking everything 

while bilge collects 

your cupped hands attempt to shovel out the last few inches 

and you plead with the gods but they send you no sign 

hold on sailor, hold on brother 

steady the vessel 

tall tales of ghosts at sail 

they spend the afterlife 

in futile calculation, dead reckoning 

telltales confuse the sails, direction is lost 

the winds will spiral round a listless tapestry 

and youre left all alone under the shine of the moon 

hold on sailor, tighten the cables 

steady the vessel 

its a good life if you dont weaken 

hold on, hold on