Valley of Aosta: Snow Storm, Avalanche and Thunderstorm by JMW Turner
The shore is safe to watch the waves;
A remote, observing enclave.
One’s theories of the surging storm
Helps not the journey to transform.
O, dare to learn to ride the ebb
The boundless, ceaseless, water web.
Avoiding danger as the norm
Helps not the journey to transform
In the vastness, cool and daunting,
The depths become very haunting,
But staying on the beach so warm
Helps not the journey to transform.
There are times when all is turmoil,
The winds conspire your life to spoil;
To shun this necessary swarm
Helps not the journey to transform.
In spacious swell you’ll swim and hang
And look back at the coast with pangs
Of memories of life lukewarm:
This starts the journey to transform.
The waves will shape you if you will,
Through heave and pitch, the pain and chill.
O ride, my soul, ride out the storm!
This starts the journey to transform.
Written on Sunday 22nd July 2018.