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
I love this! Thanks.
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I am so glad this poem touched you, Darlene. Thank you for comment.
Miriam
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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
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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
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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! ❤️🤗🌈
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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
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This is such a positive and powerful poem, Miriam. I love it.
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Thank you Robbie, your comment is very uplifting for me. So glad the story
talked to you.
Miriam
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Poems that tell stories draw me in. Well done, Miriam.
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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
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Love the poem Miriam and very wise words indeed. Truely an analogy for living your life.
Mike
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Thank you Mike for this lovely comment. I do love how you see it as an analogy for living one’s life.
Miriam
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What a loving tale.
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Thank you Ken for your sweet comment. There was a lot of love to share.
Miriam
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Lovely poem and life lessons. Thanks Miriam.
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Thank you Brad for your comment. I am so glad it touched you.
Miriam
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My pleasure!
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It’s a lovely poem!
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Thank you so much Luisa.
miriam
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🌼🌼🌼
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‘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.
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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
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Lovely, Miriam… Reminded me so much of our heavenly Father’s care and guidance–our job being to trust and follow. ❤ Blessings and love…
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Bette, thank you for taking time to read this rather long poem and comment.
I read the other day that a poem is worth while if the reader brings something
with her/him. You did and for that I am so grateful.
Bless
Miriam
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Have a wonderful week, Miriam! ❤ Blessings and love…
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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.
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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
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Loved the analogy, Miriam— and your father’s wisdom. What a lesson! –Curt
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Curt, thank you for this heartfelt comment. What a lesson indeed, it took me
a long while to understand the full implication.
Miriam
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Gaining wisdom always takes a while, Miriam. At least that has been my experience. 🙂 –Curt
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love the ocean metaphor. being caught out there brings out fear as well as courage.
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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
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Wise and beautiful words!
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Thank you and I am glad they made you feel so.
bless
miriam
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🙂
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Fascinating – both the memories and the message. Your verses bring the whole to vibrant life. Thank you, Miriam.
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Thank you Roland for your very generous comment. That you feel
vibrant life from the verses makes me very glad.
Miriam
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Kudos to your Dad! And what an experience, beautifully shared.
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I love this moving depiction of being taught life lessons by your father – and such words of wisdom about learning to trust yourself.
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Andrea, thank you for your lovely comment. Practical lessons and life lessons all wrapped in one. Couldn’t be better. I think trusting ourselves can
often be the hardest.
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Thanks Jaqui, I am glad you enjoyed reading about this experience. Like so many things in life it taught me a lot.
And yes, my pappa was a very special guy.
Miriam
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Love this, Miriam! Especially the dual meaning of the sea/life and your father’s guidance. Well done!
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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
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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!
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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
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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 💖
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Radhika, I am so touched by your beautiful comment. I am also so glad
that it touched you and gave you pearls of wisdom – just like I was given. 💕 .
Miriam
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Such deep insightful teachings always show us light when darkness envelops. This poem should reach textbooks of school kids to guide them for their future. 👍
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Thank you for visiting my site and for taking time to write this thoughtful and lovely comment. To have trust in oneself and others is a great strength and with that follows love.
You honour me with feeling it could be in a story book for growing children … maybe also adults. 😊 .
miriam
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Yes surely for adults too 🙂
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A GLORIOUS poem. Again. Thank you!
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Pam, your answer brought a big smile. The ‘again’ is flattering indeed.
Maybe I shall just post a calm and short poem next time. 🌻 .
Thank you!
Miriam
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Such a precious memory! B
Sent from my iPhone
>
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Thank you so much B. Yes, it was precious. 🤗 .
miriam
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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!
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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
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So beautiful. My eyes misted reading this as I saw not only you and your father but also, and on a more personal level, God the Father and me.
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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
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Loved this superb words, Miriam and yes our father is always there with us no matter what and even if we r marooned somewhere or lost he is always there holding us. Such a wonderful poem.
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Thank you Kamal for your heartwarming comment. It is always a very special
feeling when the words given to you reaches other people’s hearts.
Bless
miriam
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Yes absolutely true Miriam and we r all one why not we all learn to open our hearts and love each other. Welcome dear.
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Great read. Thank you
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I am glad you enjoyed this story from the sea.
I am afraid I never studied for the stripes.😊
miriam
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Don’t need stripes to be a mariner at heart.
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