HOLD THE HELM

/ delphini510

cruise-ship-87268__340

HOLD THE HELM

Fear, pride and joy filled my being
I was only eight when my father said;
Come here and stand on this box,
I will show you how to steer 
whilst I check the machines below.

The trawler was huge, how could he trust,
a little girl standing on a box?
I trusted him, but fear was putting up a fight;
Sure I can’t do this, look at the waves,
the enormous rolling waves.

Still, I listened to his instructions, drank them in;
Repeated the beacon to hold in sight.
Excitement and joy overtook me for a while
as the boat did obey my hands on the mighty wheel;

I could hardly believe; My pride grew miles.

Suddenly the vessel was shifted by waves,
my mark disappeared to the right,
Fearful I managed to steer back on course,
took a deep sigh but tension replaced trust.

Another big wave threw me off course;
Now the marker was to the left,
desperately I steered straight again,

I am afraid we wove a wavering path.

When finally, to my relief, my father came back
I was quick to relinquish the helm.

We turned our heads and looked at the path,
the swirling trail behind.
The path I had steered the ship, with my hands.
He smiled and gave me a hug.

You tried so hard but didn’t know how to trust,
the wave would bring you straight back,
Besides, I was always there and felt every move.

Keep your eyes steady on your goal
but relax as well
don’t forget to trust yourself,

also remember, I am always there.

Should a storm blow up, sail against it,
hold firm and ride it out,
Once it is over, return to your goal;
To your beacon.

Without fear continue your path,
Feel the harmony between yourself,
the sea and the sky.

© miriam ivarson 

lighthouse-1209856__340

64 thoughts on “HOLD THE HELM”

  2. Miriam,
    I can almost hear your fathers instructions through the waves and rain but mostly through time, I hear them through time and space… Pride and fear are always there to foil the day, let us keep them at bay as we take the helm…. jc

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Thank you for your sweet comment Jeff. I am glad I could make his voice carry through the years and affect others today. I trusted the Skipper totally, but not my little self. The moment of pride I am happy for, a moment of believing. 😊 .
      But yes, I held on to the Helm … to run for help would have put me further off course.

      Miriam

      Like

      Reply

  3. Miriam, you brought me right there onto the box, standing next to you, cheering you on as you valiantly steered the boat. This is a stunning poem, a touching recollection of, what I feel, is one of many key moments in your life. Your father’s warm, kindness and wisdom shines out … a. Wisdom not just of the sea but how to steer a course through our lives, how to trust our instincts, ourselves. You’ve surpassed yourself with Hold The Helm – just loved it and off to read and savour again! Happy Weekend, my friend! ❤️🤗🌈

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • Annika, thank you for this extraordinary comment which gives even more light to my poem. My father was all this you say and I get tear eyed. Yes,
      it was one of the key moments – but there are quite a number so who knows what will pop out.
      I do love your sentence:
      “Wisdom not just of the sea but how to steer a course through our lives, how to trust our instincts, ourselves. ” .

      This is exactly it. The lesson to be taken in. ❤️ .

      Miriam

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • Thank you Michael and I really am glad that this appealed to you.
      It came so strongly one day and wanted to be told, I could feel every
      emotion and feel the struggle.

      Miriam

      Like

      Reply

  10. ‘Hold the Helm’ speaks to me and takes me back into those avenues of life when fear tried to capture and throttle me, joy was a far-fetched dream and pride was an alien word…as nobody could show me ‘how to steer.’ I am glad you had such a loving guidance that could create trust, to let that pride blossom within your heart. Stay blessed dear friend.
    I love your choice of words Miriam, “drank them in,” “pride grew miles” pulls the reader in your experiences and share your moments of exhilaration. Thanks for sharing this beautiful rendering of special moments from your life.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you Balroop for this deep and heartfelt response. I want to put an arm
      around you and say, it is o.k. now. You found it, courage, joy and faith in yourself. I know my childhood was blessed with love and wisdom and feel deep gratitude.
      I do love the phrases you picked 😊, childish perhaps, but I was. Coming from a poet like yourself I treasure them.
      I am now very glad I shared this deep memory. It was unplanned but some difficulties brought it forth.
      Bless

      Miriam

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  12. Miriam, this is such a lovely story about you and your beloved father. Of course he trusted you – he’d taught you, more than you knew, and he understood that you were ready. What a wonderful man who loved his daughter so well that he felt safe putting his life in her little hands. When you publish one day, this poem must be included.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Sharon, a deep thank you for this most beautiful comment. So direct,
      it feels as if we all met. Your whole comment is so loving but I will quote
      one of your lines:
      “What a wonderful man who loved his daughter so well that he felt safe putting his life in her little hands. “.

      You also say ” when you publish” – yet I have not said anything…., you are right though. I am planning to when I find that Helm. 🤗 .
      When … I promise you this will be included.
      Bless you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • Thank you Mark for your thoughtful comment. Yes, the strength of the ocean is indisputable. It you dare face it you build courage … fear is a companion until you know what to do.
      Do we ever fully know? …

      Miriam

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • Thank you Julie for your perceptive comment. Although the story itself is true
      and factual it was a richness to me when the bigger picture emerged.
      The Sea / life as you so aptly calls it.

      Miriam

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  21. Powerful lessons for any challenge. The beacon will always be there, even when we don’t see it. Trust that things will return to balance and we will be stronger and more skilled at weathering storms. Thank you for sharing this story with us!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • JoAnna, thanks for your beautiful comment. It makes me so glad that you can see the deeper truths through my story. You are right, the beacon will always be there even if we lose sight of it at times.
      Bless

      miriam

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  22. An absolute inspiring piece Miriam. Holds so true when we face challenging situations in life too. I can see myself in such situations many a time. Will remember these pearls of wisdom to help me steer forward with trust and a relaxed frame of mind 💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  29. It is powerful and strange the draw of the sea. Such aquatic ‘deserts’ devoid of features, often appear bland and can, of course, be dangerous. Yet as your delightful and moving poem illustrates, even there Man can find understanding and wisdom, men of the sea are a special breed for sure.
    This piece is no mere poem Miriam, it is a modern-day fable!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  30. Nigel, big thank you for this in wonderful comment which touches deep on the life at and with the sea. Yes, the sea calls to many with its mystic and power. It’s multifaceted faces. It shapes people, it gives and it takes.
    I have often crossed the North Sea between England and Sweden many times as well as one memorable crossing of the Atlantic. These “aquatic deserts” just are. Ageless, strong, shifting, smiling, roaring …..

    Modern day fable! Wow, that is an amazing comment. Not like Aesop etc though. The Greek?… 😊 .

    Miriam

    Like

    Reply

  32. Your response is beautiful and make me feel all warm. You feel for me and
    my father but also draw further comfort on a personal level. Isn’t that what our writings are about.
    Bless

    miriam

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment