The Compass is Either Spinning or Non-existant

The intensity of experience
Is often too much--
Or near enough to it
To make one lose touch,
Lose faith, lose track,
Get lost at sea...
Where most things are subject
To chance and relativity,
And thoughts are exchanged
For mindless activity--
And also as easily...
A sea-storm of thought
Induces paralysis.

So in such stormy times
When currents are strong--
Of this situation
I provide this analysis:
Whether riding the waves
Or getting beaten down,
You face three choices:
Learn to swim,
Hold your breath,
Or drown.