Where some see power as a force to be seized, others recognize it as a current to be navigated. This poem presents an alternative view to the stark Realpolitik perspective of The Drunken Driver Has The Right of Way. Here, power is explored through the lens of abundance rather than scarcity, patience rather than force, and wisdom rather than might.
Drawing on both maritime wisdom and mountain paths, the poem suggests that true influence flows not from domination but from understanding - not from forcing one's way, but from patient navigation of life's currents and careful consideration of our impact on others.
The Patient Navigator
by Nicholas Llewellyn
The current runs both swift and strong,
The rapids claim both right and wrong,
Yet wisest sailors sing their song:
The patient navigator finds their way.
Some force their craft through stormy seas,
While others wait the gentler breeze;
The wise know power flows with ease—
The patient navigator finds their way.
From mountain path to ocean wide,
There's wisdom found in earth and tide,
In knowing when to lead or guide—
The patient navigator finds their way.
Through channels deep and shallows near,
The rescue boats know what to steer,
Their service born of love, not fear—
The patient navigator finds their way.
They say that might makes right prevail,
That force of will must tip the scale,
Yet those who rush are doomed to fail;
The patient navigator finds their way.
The deepest changes come with time,
Like water wearing stone sublime,
Each peak and valley's slow design—
The patient navigator finds their way.
For influence isn't force or speed,
But understanding others' need,
And planting just the proper seed;
The patient navigator finds their way.
Through rapids, storms, and changing tide,
No need to force, no need to hide,
Just wisdom as your gentle guide—
The patient navigator finds their way.
Power Through Patience: An Abundance Perspective
This view of power springs from a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity. It suggests that influence need not be a zero-sum game where one's gain must be another's loss. Instead, power can be wielded ethically and patiently, creating lasting positive change through understanding and alignment with natural systems of human interaction.
The maritime metaphors throughout the poem suggest a more fluid and natural approach to power than the stark roadway imagery of the drunken driver. Water - adapting, flowing, powerful yet patient - becomes a metaphor for sustainable influence.
A Legacy of Patient Navigation
This perspective draws from generations of wisdom, from those who understood both literal and metaphorical navigation. The poem honors Jeremy Llewellyn, an RNLI crew member and business leader who demonstrated how patient, ethical leadership could create lasting positive impact in his community.
His legacy, combined with lessons learned from mountain paths and technology leadership, suggests that perhaps the most profound form of influence isn't in dominating the road, but in understanding how to navigate it wisely, considering both immediate circumstances and long-term consequences.