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Metal Fatigue Sinks Subs If Its Integrity Is Violated

That Sinking Feeling

that ships are built to travel
the seven seas and far beyond
is what anyone will tell you
of ships
and that they float and float all-day

ask, and they will tell you
that thriving in seclusion — 
endurance tested, submerged,
able-crewed — 
that’s the hallmark of subs

of ships and submarines,
these traits are a given
for when humans and machine
are synced
all are synced

lest when confronted with
pressure
then something has to give
or, God forbid,
metal fatigue
ships
will sink,
submerge;
or explode
will
the submarines
(God protect our submariners)

What’s that then they say about resilience?
Bouncebackability that never fails!
And what do they say about feathers?
Feathers will always float!

unless its integrity has been violated
and its buoyancy used up be
feathers, too, will succumb to pressure
and like ships, like subs — 
seek solace under the sea

but you are not meant to go under
you’re smart enough to see through the sham
get rid of the facade that serves nothing
let chaos be the impetus for change
or
mental fatigue will sink you

polished from selmamartin, May 2021, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


In a Word-A-Day list of prompts for August 2022, Christine Graves, owner of the Amusing Responses Publication on Medium, challenged us to see where the words, or a form of the words, would take us. From the list, I chose Submersive. Here’s where the prompt landed me. I tweaked it some more even after it was published on Medium. Here’s the free link.

I hope this sinking, submerged feeling is far from being your reality.
Remember this about enlightenment:
En-light > En-right > En-rich > En-ergy: work — an inside job!

And these great quotes:

“In the ocean of baseness, the deeper we get,
the easier the sinking.” ~ J.R Lowell

James Russell Lowell

“An entire sea of water can’t sink a ship unless it gets
inside the ship.
Similarly, the negativity of the world can’t put you down
unless
you allow it to get inside you.” ~ G. Nasu

Goi Nasu

Please don’t sink in your cereal bowl. Photo by Luke Jones on Unsplash
I wish you miracles.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 35 Comments

  1. forresting365

    I really like this poem, Selma. And I may well just dunk my head in a bowl of happily coloured cereal someday!!! You know, on one of those days when I’m forgetting words like this?!! 🤣 Thank You for the reminder!!! Cheers! 💖

    1. Selma Martin

      Don’t do it, Katy. No head dunking please. Stay afloat. Please. Bless you. Xoxo come back to read, please. Always a pleasure when you do. Blessings. Happy December.

      1. forresting365

        OH! But wouldn’t it be fun? Bopping for Fruit Loops? Capt’n Crunch and the like?!! 🤣 And I will definitely be back! I’m just a slow turtle around blogland! Blessings to You as well and Happy December right back!!! 🤗💖😊

  2. RuthScribbles

    Fatigue of all sorts cannot get you down! ❤️

    1. RuthScribbles

      Oops. CAN get you down. Not cannot

  3. Kym Gordon Moore

    What a powerful poem and rumination Selma. I think all of us have been here, trying not to drown in our cereal! LOL Have a FANtabulous week ahead! 🥰💖😘💋😊

    1. Selma Martin

      Let’s do our utmost not to drown in our cereal bowls please.
      ‘Tis been a wet week — today starts December. 😯— how!?¡¿ have a fantabulous rest of the week, Kym dear. Bless you.

      1. Kym Gordon Moore

        Thanks a million Selma! Continue to do great things my dear! Stay encouraged and empowered. 💪🏼🥰🙏🏽😊🤜🏼🤛🏼

    2. Selma Martin

      Kym, are you on Medium? I can’t find you but I got a feel you’re there. Let me know. I’ll follow.

      1. Kym Gordon Moore

        Hey there Selma. No, sadly I am not on Medium, at least not yet. I am trying to stay on top of my Tumblr, Goodreads, Twitter, Instagram, FB, Pinterest and YouTube channels. I have been slightly neglecting them outside of WordPress. But if I manage to get a Medium account up and running, I will definitely let you know my friend. Cheers! 🥳🦋😎🥂🤩

  4. Sadje

    It’s always wise to look after body and mind and avoid getting fatigued. Thanks for this reminder.

    1. Selma Martin

      Yes. Year end can bring stress. Let’s keep stress at bay. Thanks for supporting my efforts. Happy December, dear Sadje. Xoxo

      1. Sadje

        Thanks Selma. Happy December to you too.

    1. Selma Martin

      Aww, dear David. What a compliment! Bless you. XoXo

  5. rajkkhoja

    Very nice brilliant , and powerful poem. I like.

  6. Belladonna

    Wow wow wow!!! This gives hope where you might not see it. Absolutely beautiful 💜

    1. Selma Martin

      I’m pleased you see that with your forward looking eye, dear one. You’re amazing. Bless you. XoXo

  7. Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

    Interesting metaphors and a valuable perspective, Selma! This poem is uniquely beautiful and meaningful! <3 Hope all is well with you! <3

    1. Selma Martin

      All’s well with me. Slowing down so I don’t get run over by stress. Happy year end celebrations. Hope all’s well with you too dear Cheryl. Bless you. Happy December. XoXo

  8. Sonia Dogra

    I loved this poem and the whole philosophy behind it, Selma. A very unique take.

    1. Selma Martin

      You are so sweet for saying. You’re always so keen. Love the workings of your mind. I bless you. Hope all’s well with you. All the best.

  9. Ingrid

    Mental fatigue could surely sink any ship! I must remember to steer clear of it myself 🤪

    1. Selma Martin

      Do your best, sweet lady. There’s only one beautiful you. Remember you’re only human. I bless you.

  10. Cindy Georgakas

    What a brilliant write sink or swimming in mental exhaustion. well done Selma! ❣️

    1. Selma Martin

      I am so happy you read, Cindy. Keep soaring, sweet one. I saw you got your ceiling done. All the best. XoXo

      1. Cindy Georgakas

        Oh thanks it was lovely!!! Meee too!
        It’s the little things that matter!
        💕❤️

  11. Ellie Thompson

    This is a wonderful, meaningful poem and piece of writing, Selma. I think I’m still struggling with mental fatigue, but I do hope not for my future. I loved the metaphor of comparing ships and submarines with ourselves. I particularly like the quote from Goi Nasu. I’ve read it before but not for quite some time, so thank you for writing it into your post. It has given me the opportunity of rereading it and digesting its words again. I love the photo you have used – how on earth did you find something so original and appropriate? It was a good find. Xx 💖

    1. Selma Martin

      Ellie, sweetness. Thanks dearie. Photos? Pixabay or Unsplash and occasionally Pexels.
      So happy you found this one helpful. Let me know what I can do for you. I’m right here for you.

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