Caveat in Chaos

Short poetic short story. Prose?

Rough seas crashed against the hull of a ship named 'Humanity'. The vessel was the size of a planet, sailing on time. Powered by the engines of industry she made her way inexorably through the swells of history. An ocean of life carried her bulk. Heading for eternity, Humanity steamed with purpose -- motionless at the speed of the universe. Her decks teamed with passengers.

Paying patrons on an 'Around Their Lives' cruise, danced in the ballrooms of happiness. Stowaways hid in conformity and necessity. Some passengers wallowed in the hold of depravity. Others stayed in their rooms watching their show in sedentary sedation. Humanity weighed in the pressure of population: her sickbay, brig, bilge and bridge were filled with the human condition. Though her ballast was infinite, the ship's wake echoed the motion of genetics, rocking vulnerable souls to the fringe; against the rails of existence.

Inevitably, some passengers fell overboard.

Silent commotion caught the attention of voyagers who stood on the periphery of awareness. Below them terrified castaways flailed wildly grasping for stability in the waters of inconsistency. Their screams of terror drowned under crests of misunderstanding. From the balconies of perception the crew saw their plight, ready to respond. But the distance between them was vast; their concern displaced by the needs of the whole. They could only help those who were brought to them. Humanity had no lifeboats -- there was no anchor.

Suddenly, from the crowd two well dressed passengers stepped forward. One brandished a bullhorn. The other carried a preserver fabricated with empathy and experience. The attached rope was thick with support. So long, it took a team to carry its length behind them. The professional passengers approached the rail and observed the frightened thrashing madly in the water. Sharks of panic circled them. With confidence, the bullhorn was raised and a voice amplified in sincere ignorance called out;

"We can save you! But you have to stop that behavior first!"

2022

Author's Note

This is based on the training I received as a job coach for people with disabilities and my experience working with people who have behavior challenges.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

The below lines, I did love.
"Silent commotion caught the attention of voyagers who stood on the periphery of awareness. Below them terrified castaways flailed wildly grasping for stability in the waters of inconsistency. Their screams of terror drowned under crests of misunderstanding. From the balconies of perception the crew saw their plight, ready to respond. But the distance between them was vast; their concern displaced by the needs of the whole. They could only help those who were brought to them. Humanity had no lifeboats -- there was no anchor."
William, so many great statements. "Humanity had no lifeboats". Thank you for sharing the outstanding story. You made your point.
Coyote

[William Michael Reeves]

Well, thank you! To like it enough to write out what you like means quite a bit to me. I'm a little confused about the definition of prose. I've heard poetry called prose but feel prose is thought written without structure but has poetic qualities like metaphor and analogy. I really like the thoughts you keyed in on. Humanity has no lifeboats. We have to float on each other's backs. Thanks Coyote.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome William.

[Dave Brown]

A very well done piece
I am inclined to think that a change in behavior is a very faint, far off possibility but hope rings eternal!!

[William Michael Reeves]

Changing behavior can only happen when we figure out what causes it and fix that first. I guess that applies to all of us. Thank you Dave.

[John the Baptist]

As I am currently reading "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan, I readily recognized this one as an allegory. I also was reminded of the story of the Titanic. Yes, the behavior of many has put the ship in danger, and they don't seem to realize it. Some are falling overboard, all are in danger. The two guys with bullhorns have me wondering, though. They promise salvation, if only the frightened passengers will listen to them. I really, really hope one of them is not named Trump.

[William Michael Reeves]

Trump only makes fun of the disabled. Hard to imagine him saving anything. The professional here is blind in ignorance. Thinks those who have fallen overboard can stop thrashing in fear before salvation comes. Fixing the cause of fear must come first.

[Betty Hermelee]

There is a great divide here. those who can afford the suites and those in the hull of the ship. This is a great allegory... it really shows that some uf us do have human qualities, but most of us don't give a damn. In the end, some kind souls tried to rescue those who were less fortunate, but unfortunately with a caveat as well.
Very well written and thoughtful about human kindness or lack thereof.
Best, B

[William Michael Reeves]

Thanks. Not so much kindness but about expectations that help can be had after behavior changes, rather that identify what causes behavior and fix that first.

[Betty Hermelee]

Yes! Ditto!😊

[Patricia]

As a nurse I sympathize with this very emotive piece. I think this fits life in general. I like the style as well, different from you and very well done and it goes to show how flexible and talented you are

[William Michael Reeves]

Thank you so much Patricia! I'd been putting this off for sonnet lessons and finally got back to it. I was hoping you would find it. There are a bunch of us here who have a background to understand the importance of the underlying message. These ideas needed more words than a poem can provide. Thanks again.

[lightsong]

your imagination, mind and experience shine here Bill, I felt the anxiety, I felt being lost in the rough waves of the sea of life, I felt what it means to live in a world different than ours, yet your whole piece is about life for all us, the way You used humanity as She is brilliant. She is the mother trying to gather all her children (human) on the same ship, though it seems impossible but with the help of her knights (like You), they can raise the others to the ship of safety and home.

[William Michael Reeves]

Your way with words has sway of mine. Your thoughts divine my words shine. Just had to pine on subjects fine. As usual, your light sings love I shant decline! (Can't wait till our signs align)

[lightsong]

and here we go.........

[Hebe]

Wow.., I loved this, very powerful & insightful, I could see the ship in my mind’s eye carrying all the emotional turmoil of human challenges !

[William Michael Reeves]

Planet is getting packed like a ship! Thanks Hebe. I was hoping to land somewhere between a poem and a short story. Glad your mind sight found my insight. The epiphany at the end changed how I work with people.