Listen to poem:
A Broad Reach
The candle loses nothing,
by sharing its flame,
yet there are nights
when I wonder
whether I've lost
the spark itself.
A broad reach begins innocently—
a hand extended
a question asked
a stranger welcomed
inside the circle.
Its beckoning horizon is vast.
The ripples sent out,
the echoes returned
stir a sea of answers,
and a storm
of unanswered questions.
To see through another's eyes
is to discover
how fragile certainty really is
how curiosity builds bridges
where judgment built walls.
It teaches respect,
yet can erode one's own resolve.
The tree with the deepest roots
casts the widest shade,
yet must divide its strength
between the earth and sky.
The river finds the ocean,
by winding in meandering curves,
never doubting gravity's call
to its destination.
But the further my gaze extends
across the broad reach,
the harder it becomes
to find a place to stand—
committed, resolved,
and so sure.
Seeing every side.
accepting too many arguments.
forgiving too many failures.
overlooking too many mistakes.
Brings conviction itself
to its knees,
and purpose begins to falter.
And so I drift upon the tide,
rich in perspective
inclusive and welcoming,
yet poor in direction
forgetting to trim the sails.
Easing the mainsheet,
going on a broad reach,
is comfortable and forgiving,
yet slower
when off course.
Time to sheet
the mainsail in tighter,
grip the helm
lean out to fight
the heel,
to trade comfort
for conviction,
to head directly
on the compass bearing
to a true point
on the horizon.
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