It's unthinkable you're sinkable

but hasn't it happened to us all?

In full sail with a  fair wind

an unexpected hazard suddenly emerges

and our security and peace of mind

are shattered into a thousand brittle spars.

The alarm bells sound brazenly, unceasingly.

If lucky we are lowered into a boat,

or, if judged not worth saving,

we snatch a lifejacket and jump, terrified,

into the icy, hostile unknown.

Hasn't it happened to us all?