If's and but's, and memories

A hundred thousand if's and but's,
Sailing, in a sea of what could be's.
A multicoloured seascape,
A place of dreams and fantasies.

They're bobbing up and down,
They're swaying side to side.
Each taking turns upon the horizon,
As there is no place, here to hide.

Some are tall, with great big sails,
Caught and blown by a wishful wind.
Some are broken, barely afloat,
Sails, ripped to shreds and thinned.

The sea, calm today, wild tomorrow,
Brought on by our emotions.
Some days they seem so vast,
That they grow, into giant oceans.

These ifs and buts and what could be's,
Helped to make us who we are.
The thoughts that swirl around at night,
As we dream adventures that travel far.

So, have yourself a nightcap,
Get comfy for the night.
Wherever there's a journey,
There will be an awesome sight.

Grab the helm and steer the ship,
You're the Captain of your dreams.
Although some dreams confuse you,
It's not quite all as it seems.

And when you have a nightmare,
It's just the storm before the calm.
You can steer through all adversity,
The wheel held tight within your palm.

Then, if you see some memories,
Like those you never want to lose.
Set your course and aim for them,
Whichever ones you choose.

These are thoughts of things that were,
Things of past, that once had been.
Things that made you truly happy,
Things you wouldn't wish unseen.

Sit upon your deck and gaze at them,
Perhaps they'll bring back a little smile.
From that sweet and perfect moment,
You've not remembered for a while.