Mariner's Psalm

by Joseph J. Biernacki

Consider the human will and wherein it must lie. Can our devices make us right or will we list and stray?

He makes the wind to blow,

And chooses its direction.

His deep-lain course is straight,

And fast with sure convection.

But shackled in the irons

Our wills are bound to tack.

In search of vainer waters,

We jibe, we’re thrown-a-back.

Tempting waves of energy,

If not by navigation,

By sounding, star or heading,

Wherein then lies salvation?

Ours is but to set our sails,

And run with leeward winds.

He’s fixed course, and paid the fare,

He remembers not our sins.

(July 2023)