For those that read my first poem, “Who’d Have Thought / This Time Last Year“.  I return with my second installment “The Storm in the Lagoon”.  I wanted to be clear, after getting through many troubles with anxiety, I never expected it to be some utopia, free from it.

Let me re-introduce myself.  I am Oliver, one of the trustees here at ThymicUK.  I don’t have cancer myself, but by father had Thymoma for 8 years.  My stories don’t relate exclusively to this, but having lived with my father, it played a huge part in my life; it impacted me greatly, and still does.

I like to think I am open and honest about my mental health, and hope the following poem can relate to, inspire or help readers in some way.

The following poem was written a few months after the first.

The Storm in the Lagoon

The tropical lagoon was real

I was sailing through it.

The waters here were smooth and calm,

The skies were a clear blue.

The sun was warm and beautiful,

Even the birds were singing.

At last, I was now here

The long promised lagoon.

It was a wonderful place to be,

So many islands to explore.

I loved it here, but knew it wasn’t forever.

Even in still waters the weather can change.

Sometimes there are only swells,

Sometimes there are full blown storms.

I can see the waves bashing against my ship,

I’ve seen them before. Another storm I tell myself.

But the storm lashes out against me, this time even fiercer.

I sense something’s not right; things aren’t as they should be.

I think about getting busy on the deck.

Then I remember, wherever I go, the storm will follow.

When I stop being busy the storm will still be there.

So I embrace this storm like others before.

I sit back, let the wind and waves push against me.

My ship is sturdy, it has weathered many storms.

I realise I am holding on tight to the sails.

It’s getting uncomfortable and I’m feeling tired.

I let go and suddenly I feel free.

I sit back and relax,

The storm seems to settle.

After some time I look up, checking the storm’s still there.

It doesn’t matter I say, it makes no difference.

Storm or no storm, my ship will keep on sailing.

Soon the skies will open up again, they always do.
The glorious sun will shine through once more.

Then I remember the island I’m visiting today.

I’ve heard great things, there’s so much to see and do.

I smile, I’m excited for the day ahead.

It’s going to be great I tell myself, as I sail towards my next adventure.