I Am Not Seaworthy
I am not seaworthy.
Look how the fish mistake my hair for home.
I had a life, like you. I shouldn’t be riding the sea.
I am not seaworthy.
Let me be earth bound; star fixed
Mixed with sun and smacking air.
Give me the smile, the magic kiss
To trick little boy death of my hand.
I am not seaworthy. Look how the fish mistake my hair for home.
.
Toni Morrison, 1931–2019
© 2002 Toni Morrison
“I Am Not Seaworthy” from Five Poems
Published as part of “Rainmaker Editions”
International Institute of Modern Letters
Photo by Caique Silva on Unsplash
