Tide In The Affairs

There are some routes you cannot steer
Where every finger on the helm
Counterproduces, as you'd fear,
And threatens quick to overwhelm
Whatever motion was desired
And take the ship aback, thus breaking
The course you thought you had inspired.
But there are still some ways of making
The ship stay true upon its course:
You have to hope the wind stays true
And blows with constant, even force,
The sea stays calm enough to blue,
And fortune smiles. Then you might
Find your hopeful course aright.