Motivation

By luigi_pagano

Thu, 12 Sep 2019
  • 1500 reads
6 comments
 
“How do you do it at your age?” she was asked
- as she alighted, without help, from the boat -
“How can you manage to embark on a journey
on the high seas unassisted and remain afloat
just relying on your dexterity and sailing skill?”
You have to be very brave or feisty or plucky
to undertake a risky feat like those that failed
when previous attempts proved to be unlucky.
 
“Call me crazy, she said, but I enjoy the thrill
and the spills of sailing against the headwind.
To conquer the turbulence of the ocean waves
and to fly the flag that to the mast is pinned.”
She was challenged on her way of thinking:
did she not feel that advanced age mattered
in tackling exhausting physical adventures
and by completing them was she flattered?
 
Age is just a number, was her prompt retort,
more important is the state of one's mind;
determination and the individual's willpower
are part and parcel of the whole of mankind.
Age adds years to one's life, but it does not
subtract from the pleasure that we derive
by pursuing derring-do with impossible odds.
It may be the incentive that keeps us alive.
 
© Luigi Pagano 2019
Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Philosophy

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This is the woman who sailed the Atlantic solo, right? Is that an actual photo of her? I heard her interviewed on the radio and she sounded about 25!

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

It is Claudine.
The photo is a free image from pixabay of an unidentified lady.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I like your poem Luigi and much as I admire this lady in her motivation. With her attitude she cannot fail to inspire.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

That's right Jenny. Senior citizens cannot fail to draw inspiration from her exploit, even if inconvenienced by injuries, as she was, or other impediments.
From the current paralympic games we can see that physical handicaps are no barrier to achieving outstanding results.

Luigi xx

 

Submitted by Yutka on

It is lovely to read something truly beautiful and inspirational  in our more and more darkening world. Thank you Luigi!

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Very kind of you to say so, Scharlie. I appreciate it and thank you for reading and commenting.

Luigi x