Catch your breath
Open up and swallow air
The waves of the future
are fast approaching.
Kicking against the current
stretch arm over arm
swim, else drown
in the salt of tears,
the bittersweet pill of survival
clutched in our hands.

Laughter rings from within
conference-room walls
knowing the shoals
of year’s end closing
were safely navigated
sails slightly tattered
billowing in winter’s breeze.
Yet, frigid winds blow
outside our doors
waiting to ice spring plans.

Made instruments of our own demise,
then it will be the hemlock
that comes to our lips.