The Good Sailor

Even those falling apart,
Whose lives appear to have tanked,
Can have complex to-do lists

And days when they check things off.
And it’s a strange competence
To celebrate—getting dressed,

Crossing town, being on time
To appointments to discuss
All of the falling apart.

Praise the sailor managing
To catch the wind, bail the hull,
And steer the floundering boat.

It’s the sinking but not sunk
Life needs the most expertise
And diligence to pretend

That somewhere beyond the waves
There is something like a shore.
Look how well you trimmed that sail.