Shipwreck

Sometimes it’s more than a storm,
it’s a shipwreck.
It’s two weeks of starvation 
and near drowning before rescue,
then as you feed a new-kindled fire,
a viper sinks needle teeth 
into the heel of your hand.

Maybe after this, Caesar
lets you live two uncertain years
before taking your head.

But God is not angry with you. 
Remember when you fought Him,
He turned you from the brink,

and if after all this time
you think you can’t trustyourself,
remember friends on the road
who didn’t hear the voice,
but saw the light from heaven
shining all around.

• Read more of my poetry at www.facebook.com/latterdaysaintpoetry.

• Contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com