Security

William Stafford

 Next Poem          

Tomorrow will have an island. Before night
I always find it. Then on to the next island.
These places hidden in the day separate
and come forward if you beckon.
But you have to know they are there before they exist.

Some time there will be a tomorrow without any island.
So far, I haven't let that happen, but after
I'm gone others may become faithless and careless.
Before them will tumble the wide unbroken sea,
and without any hope they will stare at the horizon.

So to you, Friend, I confide my secret:
to be a discoverer you hold close whatever
you find, and after a while you decide
what it is. Then, secure in where you have been,
you turn to the open sea and let go.

Next Poem 

 Back to William Stafford
Get a free collection of Classic Poetry ↓

Receive the ebook in seconds 50 poems from 50 different authors


To be able to leave a comment here you must be registered. Log in or Sign up.

Comments1
  • realityforu

    WOW, JUST READ "SECURITY" AND IT REALLY GOT ME THINKING. I'M SITTING HERE DOING HOMEWORK AND THIS POEM MAKES ME WONDER ABOUT THE FUTURE AND DISCOVERING MY OWN ISLANDS. LET'S FIND OUR OWN ISLANDS BEFORE THE WIDE UNBROKEN SEA COMES, SHALL WE?