Adrift

It's been days, maybe weeks

I'm still adrift in this rickety boat

Being tossed around by the waves

Just trying to stay afloat

A seemingly endless sea

Sun searing my skin with its shine

Losing my hope and faith

As I lose sight of the shore line

I have to lighten the load

I'm taking on water as I go

So one by one I toss my dreams overboard

Watching them sink into the dark abyss below

I could try to paddle to the island I once visited to the East

but they didn't want me and sent me back

I could try to swim to the island I can still barely see to the West

but they celebrated my departure, and if I return, they may attack

Not welcome or wanted anywhere, I've no safe haven,

It's too late anyway, now I can feel the cold water on my skin

I'm sinking, resurfacing and gasping for breath when I can,

Kicking my legs, but the muscle fatigue has already set in

I'm scrambling, piecing together every scrap still floating, clinging to them,

Being smart, using every resource I can find

I'm fighting so hard to stay afloat, but why?

So I can prolong this lonely time adrift only to still die alone a few days down the line?