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The Prudent Sailor: A Sonnet

None but yourself can pave the way for you
None can prepare you for all the tempests
You must fit your boat–well-angled sail through
Under fine blue skies and waters freshest

If on your journey, you chance on a mate
Your boatload will need mindful adjusting
To make a space for betiding postdate
And to staunch the waves of future fussing

I pray prudence helps keep your rudder sane
May the feel of the tiller guide your sails
Nothing in this life is ever in vain
You’re a sailor giving birth to travails!

Go with the wind, do the work it entails
Let the universe protect the details.

© Selma

This post is written for dVerse Poetics: Sail into a Poem,
where Merril is the helmswoman.
Please click on the link for more details.

Thank you so much for reading my sonnet.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 44 Comments

    1. Selma Martin

      Curtsying, m’lady. You bless me with this encouragement. Have a great weekend. Xo

  1. beth

    and it’s impossible to plan the route and know what will happen

  2. Sadje

    A very lovely poem.

      1. Sadje

        You’re always welcome

  3. Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    I love the message and how you use the boat as a metaphor on how we must be ready to handle the challenges of life… still sudden storms may come

  4. rajkkhoja

    Nice poem. Wonderful The Prudent Sailor: A Sonnet pic.

  5. merrildsmith

    Hi Selma, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful sonnet! A lovely message. 💙

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks for the lovely prompt, Merril. Blessings.

  6. Smitha V

    A sonnet with a wonderful message, Selma. XXX

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks for reading, Smitha. Sooo glad you liked it.

      Helmswoman, you, “I wish you fair winds and following seas.” 👏🏽

  7. Sunra Rainz

    Beautiful, Selma. For me these lines in particular are so rhythmic and wave-like:

    “I pray prudence helps keep your rudder sane
    May the feel of the tiller guide your sails”

    and I love the last two:

    “Go with the wind, do the work it entails
    Let the universe protect the details.” 👌🏼

    1. Selma Martin

      So happy you took the time to tell me, dear Sunra. 🙇🏽‍♀️ gratitude 🙏

  8. memadtwo

    Following the wind is always good advice when sailing. (K)

    1. Selma Martin

      It’s also the best farewell: “I wish you fair winds and following seas.”

      It is said to encapsulate so much.

      BTW, I wrote a san-san. It was so hard, K. But I persevered. I’ll post later today.

      Btw, san is also THREE in Japanese. Just saying…

      Bless you my friend. Happy weekend.

      1. memadtwo

        It’s not an easy form–I struggled with it myself. That’s good to know about san.

  9. dorahak

    “May the feel of the tiller guide your sails” — Lovely poetry of blessing!

  10. KK

    An uplifting sonnet! Last two lines sum up very well.

      1. KK

        It’s truly my pleasure!

    1. Selma Martin

      Happy you liked. ⛵️ sending you calming blessings and healing

  11. Thobile Simelane

    So powerful and wonderful written. Thank you for the words of inspiration because at the end of the no matter the circumstances but we have to sail through. 🙂

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