William Otto - The Open Sea

How swiftly flows the river,
As it hastens to be free,
Away from land's binding fetters,
En route to the open sea.
The passage is a rough one,
That it tackles with seeming glee,
Shooting dangerous, rocky rapids,
En route to the open sea.
When at last it's reached that goal,
Fulfilling it's destiny,
It mingles with the salty brine,
Found in the open sea.
How similar is the life of man,
Struggling like you and me,
To reach that lofty promised land,
The sky is our open sea.

William Otto

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-open-sea-2/