John Weber - Aimless Float

The raft gazes longingly at the pier
Despite desires to drift away from fear

That tether dangling within that bleak bay
Reflects the discontent that shifts his sway

Constantly rocked by belligerent wake
Those bowed planks bob with sorrow in that lake

For once he dug into the fertile land
Diligence hoping he’d avoid quicksand

Water and daylight ensured the seed grew
Many cracked yet survivors numbered few

The howling wind gave life to rugged bark
Even when grasping just how ebbs grow stark

Yet in his sway he swelled stronger despite
The haste of grim circumstance to ignite

With a snickering axe that shell snapped off
Choking joyous whispering limbs like a cough

Tool and sweat whittled and shaped his function
Shreds tumbled to test his fragile gumption

For many moons the tree hovers along
Doleful he cannot share his leafy song

No longer hugged by the tug of the earth
Constant motion clouds his befuddled worth

Once such blessings of water would nurture
That choppy break now conspires to torture

What has become of his simpler life?
He never asked for this relentless strife

A silhouette drifts in from the sunrise
Linked arms swing in play behind smiling eyes

One by one they step into his remains
While bright songbirds offer gentle refrains

Ardently they share a tender embrace
Forcing the lost plant to contemplate grace

The hinterland glade he shall always miss
Yet hope sparks anew as he shares their kiss

John Weber

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/aimless-float/