The ocean of time

Life 

lies in front of us

as an ocean of time

where some try to catch the minutes and moments

to no avail 

An ocean of time

of which they’re mere spectators

as the fear of its dangers makes the jump unthinkable

and while wondering how it is to be in that ocean 

they watch swimmers and sailors pass by on its waves

Life 

lies in front of us

as an ocean of time

where others become the minutes and moments themselves

from a distance, they see the curious faces of those watching

while enjoying or struggling through the waves of the ocean

and in that ocean 

they find everything

everything but regret

In the ocean of time called life

we jump despite our fears 

or we don’t jump at all

the distance between spectators and swimmers

is the distance between living or being alive

  24 November 2021, Amsterdam