An Odyssey (Revision of 'Sailor On a Lonely Island')

Mind-therapy wandering, browsing in little
shops, seeing delightfully coloured roses,
delicate in pink enlivened by golden flecks;
overboard went my thrift, had to have it,
willing to give up all imitation flowers for
these - like a man upon finding a pearl
of great value sells all his other jewels to
acquire just this wonderful one

First day back at work, chafing at the bit,
sitting behind blinkers shuttering my eyes
against challenge and outside adventure,
feelings evoked by admirable deeds and
dreams, tiptoeing through a list of things
to be done, lightly scratching the surface
of messages about criminals, surfing
through music on my iPod, jumping from
song to song

Nose enchanted by the delicate new rose,
looking at emails while searching for music
to fit my mood - all becalmed, an impatient
sailor marooned on a lonely island, hoping
for a siren song to lure me on to exciting
times packed with more action and drama
than this peaceful time without meaning:
an Odyssey is what I need…