Eighteen Feet Long

I see an ocean

A sea of red and white.

I hear it beckoning me

To join it,

To sail it,

I listen and

Do what it asks.

I build a ship,

Eighteen feet long,

Out of pupayan leaves and

We set off to sea.

These waters can be calm

Or treacherous.

But I know,

If the ship shall sink,

I’ll be strong enough to swim ashore.

If the sea shall ripple

I’ll be strong enough to stay aboard.

If I land on a deserted island,

I’ll survive the loneliness.

If I land on a inhabited continent

I’ll rejoice in the party.

The sea gives me the knowledge,

The sea and the Mighty Pupyan Boat,

Eighteen feet long.

6/21/1993