As New Pilgrims

As New Pilgrims

Captainless,

but with a solid rudder and hull,

we took our turns at the tiller,

those out on the rail repeating

orders on trim to the mid-deck

who, in turn, yelled back

to the helmsman when to steer

up into the needling gale.

We knew exactly why we were going

and precisely where we were headed,

even as our charts were old and inexact,

leaving much to imagination and luck

in avoiding sandy shoals and razor reefs.

We plowed on to wind, breathing free

and giddy to be gone, full of hope the land

would not be ruined upon our arrival,

yet sure we could set things right if it were—

never fearing the prospect of failure,

for we had known its full measure already

heaped upon us by those now left behind

with not a lick of remorse.