Lifeguard

I escaped into my mind on a high speed chase

I buried my head in the belief that my sinking heart had a life guard

that would fearlessly fight the waves.

I moved swiftly, drenched in my own sorrows

I distracted myself from the rapid speed of every moment I lived

that would soon require the purpose I never gave it.

I was dragged down by the undertow of my long-gone memories

I begged to return to the ones who promised to dive in

but never learned how to swim.

I took for granted those who battered the rising tide

I held them under to keep my lungs afloat

long enough to call out the name of those who drifted past on their own life rafts.

You washed me ashore

You held me together

My intact body an arc—a reminder of hope

You mended my sails and although I desired nothing more

Than the safety of your shores

You sent me back out to the sea—to the vessels I’d abandoned

To the driftwood memories left from my shipwreck

You reminded me you were on board

And that a captain always goes down with His ship.