Fighting the Wind

I am sailing upon open waters. The wind, in my face, thrashes white sails and casts briny foam into flight from churning seas. My boat is buffeted by mighty waves. I stand at the helm with salt-stung eyes on the undulating horizon where it blurs into storm gray sky as if a single encompassing terror. Then I think to myself, "I cannot win this fight." But what fight? The wind is the wind - not my foe. I can lament the injustice or wait for its course to change, but both of these choices, in the end, will only serve to repel me farther from my destined port. The fight lies within me - not without. I choose the course, steer the rudder, and trim or slacken the sails. So with patience - and perhaps great effort - even opposing winds and tumultuous seas are harnessed to navigate wherever I am willing to go. And that is living... 9/20/2016 Based on the form (and theme) of "Gone From My Sight" by the poet Henry Van Dyke