I started out young to build my boat,
to get me across life's ocean.
I wanted to quickly get afloat,
this was a powerful notion.

So I asked Jesus if I could learn
from him, how this could be done,
to build a boat from prow to stern,
as he was a carpenter's son.

For further help I looked to the East,
and there I came across The Buddha,
and asked him if he, at the very least,
could contemplate for me the perfect rudder.

Then I showed the build so far,
to Mohammed so he could see,
if all the timber, canvas and tar,
were being assembled properly.

But soon I realised as I strolled along the beach,
they would never work together as one,
no agreement would they ever reach,
and I really needed to get this done!

So in the end I decided to put a stop,
to the work, and do it all for myself,
so I went back into the workshop,
and took the plans down from the shelf.

Soon afterwards I had my launch day,
and set sail across life's turbulent sea,
and if I should sink whilst under way,
then any failure is all down to me!

Tom Higgins

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-life-boat/