Sailing to Portugal

Sailing to Portugal – Jack Barnes

The wind fills the sails

Pushing me farther

I listen to the sounds

The wind, the waves,

And the footsteps of my dad as he moves around on watch.

All together a lullaby singing to me

Our boat rocking in the swells

Edging me to sleep

I close my eyes

I cuddle up under the covers

I listen to my brother's soft breathing

His back pressed against mine

I feel safe

I don't ever have to leave

I look out my porthole

A shape of a bird silhouetted

Against the darkening sky

Flapping its way

Toward the east

Sila presses onward

Sailing south southwest

The wind pauses a little

We use the momentum to glide onward

I reflect back on my day

It was all just sailing

Tomorrow we reach our destination

I savor this moment:

Falling asleep on a moving boat

Heading to Portugal.