Over The Waters


The vessel of law, powered by man’s will,
  Hewn from distrust, crafted for the ocean,
  Crosses over—through—waves of emotion,
Creating for moments a wake, a rill,
A past and future, a goal to fulfill.
 Ten oarsmen, chained, labor in unison—
  Side by side, stroke by stroke—within reason,
In light of the journey and their strength’s skill.

Once a man took two oars and with his robe
 He crafted them one.  He stood it upright
   And spoke: “A mast, a boom, a seamless sail—
With them spread my good news around the globe!”

He was thrown overboard without a fight.
  Then the breeze moved, and through the men—a wail.