Shipwreck

Then when the storm had settled on the ocean

And the wind had stopped its howling at the sky

There was not a trace of life upon the waters

And he blessed his luck to think that he'd survived

He shook his fingers free from salty waters

Combed them through his finely tailored hair

He looked around to see where he had landed

To find what had been provided for him there

But no rush of servile voices rose to greet him

No one jumped up when he raised his hand

No presidents or servants to obey him

To carry out his order of command

And his anger rose to think that he was stranded

That a man of power like him could stand alone

With no one to provide him food or shelter

He would starve in spite of everything he owned

"Look at me", he cried, "I'm worth a billion

I can lift the phone and raise a billion more"

But the calling of the gulls just mocked his pleading

And the waves crashed relentless on the shore

He cursed the sea that shares could not be bought in

Cursed the wind that would not bow to gold

He cursed the skies he could not hold to ransom

And he cursed the waves his wealth could not control

But the wind belched in his face in soft derision

The sea spat on his status-symbol shoes

The heavens smiled contempt for all his fury

And he saw a force his greed could not subdue

The calling of the seagulls mocked his pleading

The waves crashed relentless on the shore

When years had passed the ocean was still rolling

And the sun still shining brightly up above.