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Safe Haven
Upon a storm-tossed angry sea
A ship forlornly sails
The gale has blown continuously
The crew, exhausted, bails
Still close to foundering is the craft
Despite their brave resolve
It can no longer wear the graft
Hot tears in rains dissolve
When all at once through dark cold spray
Glow lights of port ahead
A haven from the deadly fray
A pledge of safe warm bed
"Make fast ahead! Make fast behind!"
The Captain shouts, voice breaking
He steps relieved to accents kind
And tries to calm his shaking
Within safe haven rests the ship
Torn sheets, worn souls repairing
While captain cracks a merry quip
With those whose lives he's sharing
Too soon the time for setting sail
Calm swell a pool of jade
Ship's master, smiling, at the rail
His storm-filled memories fade
Midst grateful smiles the ship of life
Starts out on sea of days
Cuts through time's flotsam like a knife
On Haven's course he stays
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Synopsis
I wrote this for my cousin Trish. When I was at my lowest ebb, she and her husband Rob had no hesitation in offering to share their home with me for as long as I needed it. I lived with them for seven months while I licked my emotional and psychological wounds, and recharged my batteries. I shared their meals and their lives and became one of the family in a way I never dreamt was possible. They didn't judge me; they didn't pry, but they each in their own way supported me and helped me come to terms with things, even if only by getting on with their own normal lives around me.
When I felt the time was right, I found a flat, thanked them, and left. I think Trish had some misgivings about me leaving so soon. She thought I should stay longer but again she didn't push me one way or the other. It was my decision. That kind of love and support is beyond price. I know her sense of "family" meant that for Trish it was simply the obvious, the only, thing to do. But not many people enjoy that kind of family or the level of tangible help that I had and I am very aware of how lucky I was to have such benefactors. So by way of thanks for what they did for me: this.