Swallowed by the Sea

By Andrew R. Duckworth

Occasionally, you’ll want to run,
And free yourself of responsibility.
But it follows every footstep,
Through the calm and the tempest.

And when you realize the damage
Done to friend and neighbor
And throw yourself to the sea,
Do not think responsibility has fled.

Responsibility will be swimming about
Waiting for its meal
And it will swallow you
With wide open jaws.

And, if you are so fortunate to live,
Choose the responsibility you wished to flee.