The Vessel

The glass becomes like an extension of her arm Clenched firmly at the stem, it seems to lead her very gestures Like the cargo of a vessel on a stormy sea, its contents follow in rhythm Quickly, the contents are emptied, refilled and emptied again But there is no satisfaction; no relief, no matter how often it is filled Only an unquenchable thirst that’s born from pain and shame He watches the movements, his eyes drawn against his will to the vessel Helpless, he sees and feels the pain, sees and feels the shame First he feels fear; then emptiness, resentment and contempt Fear, of losing the past they had shared Fear, of losing the future they had built together Fear, of losing the bond that had seemed so strong Emptiness, as love and compassion drain from his heart Emptiness, as the gentle side of him hardens and thickens Emptiness, as hope slowly vanishes Resentment, of the fear that is always present Resentment, of the loneliness that grows each day Resentment, for the guilt these feelings bring Contempt, for the tiny vessel with its cargo Contempt, for those who had filled and launched the vessel And now, contempt for the one who holds it These feelings now, have become his pain, his shame Locked deep below, like the cargo of a vessel; His vessel, drifting alone on an empty sea