The Boat

(There's a reason why people refer to boats as "she"...)

He bought the boat for a few reasons

To save money
To be closer to work
But more importantly,
It was always something he wanted to do
And lately,
He’s been doing everything he’s wanted to do
Free of commitment
Free of complications
On the boat, he can keep his distance
It’s obvious that it is all about the boat
There is only one mistress.

But the boat has a mind of her own

As all boats do
If he doesn’t tie her down, she will float away
He has to buy new ropes
She will bump into the piers and other boats
He has to buy new floats
He thinks he is controlling her,
But his time is consumed with taking care of her
If he doesn’t treat her gently
She will break all of his dishes
(An accident of course
Caused by another boat’s wake)

Things that aren’t secured

Are lost in the water
She doesn’t like her dock
He looks for another
If he’s away too long
He worries; what will she have done?
Corroded spark plugs?
Clogged plumbing?
He buys more things
Gives her a new name
Even holds a half-hearted naming ceremony
Praying to a god he doesn’t believe in

You shouldn’t mock Poseidon

She knows this
But he is trying
They go out on the water
She is free of her moorings
For all too-brief moments
She is free on the water

Copyright 2011.  Lori Dominick