Riptide

Over and over the waves rise

Plummeting on deck tearing at the men like ravenous dogs

As much as the men fight their way back up the waves are already upon them once more

Tossing them across the deck here and there like rag dolls

The winds howl like wolves and bite at the men’s chilled faces and hands

Making any movement painful and stiff

Despite their discomfort the mariners fight on through the night

Over and over the waves rise and rip away the sailors from the heaving deck

The wind driven rains are like bees pelleting the deckhands mercilessly

And yet they do they’re job, on and on

By and by

Through the riptide