I built the ship within my mind
With shattered pieces left behind
Of broken dreams and tarnished goals                                                                                                                     
And lovely thoughts dear to my soul.

The mast was made from one tall tree -
I tore it from inside of me,
But with a little work and care
My strength stood tall and centered there.

The deck I built outshone the sun -
Some boards were bright and some were dun -
I made it of my memories
Both good and bad, I took all these

And polished them upon my knees
There beneath both sun and breeze,
Relived them all within my mind,
With smiles and tears the deck designed.

The hull I hollowed from my soul -
I thought that it would take a toll,
But as I built and planed and shined,
Everything within my mind

And heart and soul and all of me
Became the ship both wild and free.
We bloomed and grew in rainbow hues
And vines merged into waves of blue.

The ship I am leapt from the shore -
My heart enlarged, began to soar -
We rode the vining waves into
A future where all things are new.


©Tessa Chenoa