The Wrecked Ship

I am nothing but a wrecked ship
Drowning in the middle of th’ ocean;
Slowly to the bottom I slip,
Full of holes and with no — motion.
As the bubbles swim to the surface
To breathe the air, or with it mingle,
My heart beats a’ the sight of thy face
And thy love in my heart still single.
May a high tide split the ocean
For an angel to fix the ship,
A comely lass like salvation
Thus the sailor shall never trip.
Before heav’n takes my soul or thine
I pray for — for thee to be mine!

Youssef Oubihi

Youssef Oubihi is a poet and student researcher at Sultan Moulay Slimane University in Beni-Mellal, Morocco. He grew up in the Souss region, where he breathed, imbibed, and absorbed poetry from the magical air, sea, and land. His poetry has been featured in the Moroccan Chronicles Journal, Brittle Paper, and Adelaide Literary Magazine.