And we awoke on a ship we never wanted to board
Adrift in an angry ocean where no one cares to be
“There’s no time for this,” I hear the voice say.
“I KNOW…” I growl back.
The ship itself shows shiny, but glasses off gives a truer view
All the gold can’t cover rusty bolts and a dented hull
“This ship isn’t seaworthy,” says the voice.
“I KNOW…” I growl back.
Others pass by, some nod, none smile.
A large group gathers by the drained pool
“See how their clothes match?” asks the voice.
“I KNOW…” I growl back.
This matching gang is different from others I’d passed
Boisterous, comrade-like, they talk of the pool fun they’ll have
“But there’s no water,” the voice whispers.
“I KNOW…” I growl back.
As I approach the faded shuffleboard court, numbers nonexistent
Another matching gang loudly challenges me to a game
“But they have no equipment,” the voice seems confused.
“I KNOW…” I growl back.
At the ship’s bow, I peer out at the dark, threatening sky
While a matching gang near me praises the sunny day
“But there’s no s… ,” the voice quivers.
“I KNOW…” I growl back.
For I am here, as are you.
Surrounded by those preaching sense of the nonsensical,
Spouting fiction for fact,
Playing games with no rules.
“We should go,” the voice suggests.
“Go WHERE? HOW?” I demand.
In the middle of an angry ocean on the darkest of days
Half aboard walking in disbelief
Half enjoying the ride…
or at least seeming to
The crackle of the loudspeaker commands our attention
And the captain’s voice begins,
“Welcome. Welcome. We’re happy you’re here.
Well… some of you anyway.
We’ve got the best cruise planned for you.
I always plan the best cruises for the best people…
even for those of you who don’t deserve it.
You’re going to thank me for how well I steer this ship.
Believe me.”
“And pay no attention to the empty pool…
We’ll fill it with another ship’s water.
And don’t worry about the shuffleboard…
I have concepts of some new rules.
And can you believe this beautiful, sunny day we have?
Some may call it cloudy, but I say it’s sunny,
because I control the weather.
Not many people know that… but I do.”
And with that, in spite of evidence to the contrary,
the matching gang cheers.
The unmatched however hold each other close,
for as the captain continues his meaningless boasts,
they can see the giant wave approaching.
In a flash, the ship capsizes.
The loudspeaker gurgles and drifts off.
And the passengers, ALL of the passengers,
Find themselves at the bottom of the ocean…
Brought down by rusty bolts covered in gold,
Long forgotten rules replaced with nothingness,
A huge storm passed off as sunshine,
And a lying captain.
“I saw it coming,” says the voice in its last breath.
“I know…” I try to growl back.
Tori Burris Inkley
February 19, 2025
Tori Dreamer 