Drifting

The mind splinters again
thinking of all that I've done alone
and what is left undone.

I am swamped by the cluttered clouds
gathering in the west
and I lurch around in the churning waters
of an unknown overwhelming grief.

Here I am
scudding along before the storm
like a child trying to outrun the beast
in a bad dream.

I swash my morose mouth with soap
frowning while I wait
in another silent life preserver.