i was a floater by definition
a name plastered on my chest since grade 2
i would just float around.

our names were classified by how we lived
i had nothing to hold me down
my body would move from place to place
bumping into things
not staying for too long

i was happy i guess
i wasn't lost
i knew the exact pinpoint in the ocean
the singular sand particle on the beach

but there was a big wooden ship behind me
with the Captain singing a sweet sea song
and the Sailors' voices lilted
carrying bottles of blue sea glass
pretending they were telescopes

so, I took my little body,
wrinkled from the Sea,
and my waterlogged fingers gripped the boat tight
the Captain's song found its way into my lungs
and I could see the encroaching shore,
but I wan't worried
because I am still riding that ship.

sometimes, Sailors go their separate ways
find new land, find new ships
sometimes, pruney, little hands grab a hold of the hull
and We pull them on.

one day, I will leave this ship,
but it won't be forever
because I am anchored.