the storm had subsided
morning dawned like a vanquished beast
waking from a duel
across the beach a small gathering
picked its way through newfound debris
crushed upon the rocks in the now falling tide
a small sailing vessel of yesterday
her ugly angle spoke of hullplates smashed
rags of sail hanging limply on tormented rigging
those rocks would be exposed at low ebb
and break her back
what cargo she carried were the worrys of each mind
what profit here to be taken
from storms chance delivery
everyman greedily eyed the other
for first in would take the heart of plunder
let there not be a live soul aboard
or they shall meet a watery grave this foul day
twas then i caught her movement,
a wash of green in the prow
was it imagined or, no, ... there it was again
hardened scroungers amidst their evil
were too keenly eyed on each others intent
they had not seen her
entering the receeding swell
i let fall my jacket and cast away my shoes
this beach was my plaything since first steps had
let me know her rolling sand and shifting curves
i knew her beneath these waves
and the games she'd play a stranger
now onto my back, staying low in the water
slowly propelling myself seaward
had i been spotted i could not tell,.. my ears below water
my eyes beheld a seabird and little else
bar the miserable sky
were i seen, a musket ball would greet my final breath
this day would be my last should i fail to achieve
seaward of the sorry vessel
aching limbs now sighing with relief
to hear her anguished pains
creaking and groaning upon the swell
as her hull entered its death throws
there! my chance! ..diving beneath her keel
i surfaced to seaward
now out of sight of the beaches rabble
i beheld the larboard side of her
a plaque bearing "estrella de la mañana" on her bows,
a spaniard mateloe's pride and joy
'hello' i bellowed 'hello!'..........
she peered through the spintered gunwhale 'are you alone'
staring eyes, ....'come with me, you are in danger here.
.....i have a boat close by'
the frightened girl now raised her head
and beckoned a 'go away' motion toward me
finding nearby footing on the rocks
i hauled out and squatted.
pointing toward the beach i shook my head
and drew my finger across my throat then pointed to her
her eyes became fire and she rushed along the deck
holding onto the gunwhale
'hello' i shouted, pointing first to her then myself
i made swim jestures and pointed along the coast
finally making rowing movements with my hands.....
she stared ....i nodded
repeating my cut throat jesture toward the beach
i lost my footing falling back into the briney
surfacing i watched her leap off the craft
and smile toward me as she regained
seemingly at ease with the ocean i beckoned 'follow me'
swimming across and against the tide
the prize of landfall found me near exhausted
heavy footed without the buoyancy of saltwater
i staggered toward the cave
shivvering within its coldness,
i tapped my chest saying 'dusky'
.....her eyes,..her face, beautiful
staring at me with lowered head
she touched her chest ......'graciana'
'we must hurry' i pulled the small boat of my childhood
out and down the beach with graciana pulling it too
reaching the water line graciana put her hand on my arm
and looking into my eyes drew her face to mine
kissing softly a thrill wrent my body,
she was holding a small black purse,
taking my hand.....placed the purse in it
she made a gesture touching her chest
then casting her open hand palm up toward me
giving me the purse ....which i untied and opened
inside was a large ruby gemstone finely set in gold
on a gold chain and two gold rings one large, one small
looking back to the wreckage then swiftly back to me
she suddenly pushed me hard
together we drew the boat into deeper water
tapping my arms again as i placed the oars in the rollocks
she shook her head and pointed toward the stern
i took my seat in the stern and watched
as this beautiful young woman began rowing me into my future
a terrible ringing sound filled the air
damn that alarm clock..... it ruins everything !!!
- ,
-
Author:
dusk arising (
Offline) - Published: August 26th, 2021 00:19
- Comment from author about the poem: Something from 2017 whilst my muse rests
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 29
- Users favorite of this poem: L. B. Mek
Offline)
Comments11
Wonderful words d a, I wonder what would have happened if the alarm clock had not woken you.
Andy
Good write dusk.
What a story - it gripped my attention all the way through and the end line surprise made me gasp for more - a veritable sage which would need a sequel you captured the thrill of a good tale and so very well told - - fist class read Dusk and hats off to the choice of image too.
'morning dawned like a vanquished beast
waking from a duel
across the beach a small gathering
picked its way through newfound debris
crushed upon the rocks in the now falling tide
a small sailing vessel of yesterday'..
this has many layers from a metaphorical perspective
could be published as a stand alone poem
in my humble opinion,
really liked the pacing to highlight the fun and adventure
a wonderful short story in that dreamscape universe
of all-thing's: possibility...
I laud your poetic ambition in this write
thanks for reposting Dusk
What a dream and an adventure. Waiting for the night to come sooner, so that you may continue your dream.
Wow, great story. I would turn off the alarm and go right back to sleep. Thank you for this wonderful poem.
Good read, Dusk.
I have been there many times.
Thanks for researching the adventure! A delightful read!
Powerfully written I felt like I was on that ship enjoyed reading your poem..
Cor blimey .. for the life of me I can not recall seeing/enjoying this epic bit o poetry before despite checking back through your portfolio several times ... apart from the fact the whole thing .. yes the whole bloomin thing is a giant work of art, it is impressive in so many other way too ... the overall naughticalness of it, the general storyline, language, formatting .. the final punch line are simply super and NO I aint kiddin ... N
I loved reading this. How it ended made me laugh. It was not what I expected. I love that.
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