The people were drowning

Trying to stay afloat

As they clung to the remains

Of their sinking boat

“How sad,” one man lamented

From his own ship’s deck

A second said, “even sadder

That their captain failed to act.”

“Turn back!” Yelled the people

As the tide pulled them along

“The waves are too high

The current, much too strong!”

“Should we listen?” said one man

“Should we heed what they say?”

Said the second, “not one bit.

They are trying to scare us away.”

The men adjusted their gaze

And focused eyes on land ahead

“I’m ready to get back to normal

And out of these waters,” they said

So focused on the land ahead

They failed to even see

That they stood in ankle-deep water

As their boat had begun to sink