So much gets thrown away these days—there is no place for it;
we have so much more than those Poseidon ruled back 
when the wild sea was a vast thing, unknown and feared, but now
maps tell us every ocean’s name—we have no need to speculate, 
for we know where the land meets the sea; we have much more 
than they did, yet all we do is ignore the plastic bags and tags 
until they find their way to him, washed up and broken.

Does he ever roll his eyes at our mega cruise ships with shallow pools 
on deck, the salt pulled from the water, so people can casually 
paddle about while their feet touch the ground, and think, ‘Why do that?’ 
Does he see what others refuse to when they climb onto
rusty boats, not made for perilous oceans such as his?
When his waves breach the sides, does he see them holding each other
tight? Maybe he’s answering their prayers when he takes them home.

Image from Pixabay