Batter my boat Wide-spread Water
make your breakers shake my hull
& threaten to capsize me Push
my bow & blow me back
attack me broadside with your
whipping wind bend
my ambivalence into passionmend
my apathy so my heart is full
& don’t let me defend
my indefensible complacency
through foolish reason
Knock me overboard into depths
too great for me so I am so thrown
upon your mercy that as you drag my
drenched form onto your rocky beach
I will know that you are good
Hear D.S. Martin talk about this poem on the Reformed Journal Podcast:
Photo by Torsten Dederichs on Unsplash
This ardent cry stirs my soul! Thank you, D.S., for daring to pen utter surrender, come what may.
(As a side note, the recurring “en” sound that rings through the poem made me curious about the letter’s origins. How aptly your sonic choice suits your subject! One online source cites the energy of the letter N, which resonates with rich imagination, focused curiosity, and adventure.)
“so I will know that you are good.” AMEN AMEN. The depths He goes to, to get us there…is nearly unfathomable. I call this a necessary poem….