Harbour View

They say that life is a stage

Then today I play the role of a listener

Listening to life’s symphony

I hear the soft collisions of waves upon the shore

I hear the clicking of bicycles ridden by people going from point A to B

While I’m here at the crossroads of each

I hear the snapping of dead branches

Nature renewing its grip on life by letting go of the old

They say that life is a movie, that it flashes past your eyes

Then I am its most avid critic, watching every step of its fantastic choreography with a keen eye

I see home, lit by tired yellowed lights 

And filled with worn out love that bears its scars with pride

Every cut a museum exhibition piece, of persistence and indeed, evolution through pain

I see the far lights of boats past the horizon

Passing by the harbour of me, and onto their next grand adventure

Ceaseless in its travels, only stopping for fuel by the supportive port or for safety at the nearest isle

Braving the rocky tides and exploring the unknown shores is a thrill like no other

But after whirling winds and perilous pursuits, all ships long for a safe harbour to anchor

I see humans walking by, each so plain in appearance 

Yet each with a kaleidoscope of stories within

Mortal from birth, made immortal through the lines we write on the blank ledgers of kindness held by those we love

Our lamps may be extinguished in due time, but our light remains, guiding others through  their moments of abyssal darkness 

They say that life is an experience, indeed the quintessential and common one that all souls live.

Born of paltry means or from palatial bassinets, life is as unavoidable as prophecies past

Then I feel every single drumbeat of the experience, feeling the emotion echo within my heart

I feel fearful of the past, the present and the future

The past for its blistering wounds, rubbing raw against embraces of the now

Each warm touch a searing reminder of wildfires past

The present, for its chessboard complexity, each move a regret in the making

Each move a stab into the open arms of those caring

The future for its unknowable mystery 

which drives calm off a cliff with anxiety’s bulldozer might

And yet.

I feel confident, with the people beside me who have weathered through the same stormy nights and assured me of the sun’s eventual triumphant rise

I feel content, with slavish desire vanquished, replaced with the enjoyment of the now

Expectations and ego pried out of my soul and in its place, empathy

I feel happy, at least in this quiet moment 

Alone with the soft seas, the perfectly imperfect people and the rustling taciturn trees

Where I am an observer, a listener and a living soul