We made it through the storm, though they said we had no chance
Calculated winds and losses, overgrown by happenstance
We plot our course—they said we’d never make it
A fancy boat—they called it overrated

Maps in hand and compasses carried
We left before the dawn
Still whispered words of warning
Doom sealed before we’d gone

Right off the shore—a shallow coral reef!
Scraped the hull—“My God, we’d sprung a leak!”

Water gushed into our vessel, as we sank to the bottom of the sea
I knew our journey was over, my life flashed in front of me

Before my eyes—Oh, no it couldn’t be!
The glowing light of an underwater city

I can’t explain what happened, perhaps a miracle
I took a breath of water and yet my lungs were full

From all around – a dozen came to help
A scaly sort—with clothing made of shell

We’ll need repairs I told them, they showed us where to go
Less than one nautical mile, an undersea home depot

All fixed we’d soon be on our way
No place to go but float away…

Warm wind blew dry our sails as we rejoined the waves
Our crew was drop-dead tired when we spotted an inviting cave
We steered our ship to shore, we stumbled off a mess
Trudged into our make-shift shelter to take a long, much-needed rest

None of us could move a muscle, eyes sealed in deepest sleep
Till awoken by a curious tussle—from the cave it began to creep
Wide awake we fled the cave in fright
Outran the ghoul to face a scarier sight

I’d put the first mate in charge of the anchors and the maps and rope
In the middle of our escape I find, no one remembered to tie up the boat

Our ship adrift—five people passed the blame
Put up their fists—we all forgot the cave

Till the terror emerged and snarled, all fur and glowing teeth
Like that we’re the best of friends in an all-out race to the sea

We left the snarling beast behind as we swam with all our might
The strong breeze had chilled around us as the sky turned black as night

The waves were rough—we barely stayed afloat
Then lightning struck—destroyed our precious boat

Charred shards of wood came floating by
Grabbed on and hoped that we’d survive…

Half-drowned and barely conscious, we couldn’t take much more
The pains from hunger followed as we washed up on the shore
You see this rock? This beach we’ve always roamed
We recognize we finally made it home!

Shook hands in victory, found the strength to laugh and smile
We’d never been so far from here before, was it two, maybe three whole miles?

And so it goes we conclude our tale
But man I wish that we actually learned how to sail
Oh, well

© & ℗ 2009, 2010, 2011 Mark Basso. All Rights Reserved.