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: September 24th, 2017 02:44
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 64
- User favorite of this poem: Goldfinch60.
Offline)
Comments7
Oh - what a compelling tale and what a surprise ending in that final line - - a verse to set my Sunday read off to a flying start my friend. Loud applause for this well-told and exciting tale of the sea.
Thank you Fay, you're very kind.
Fabulous storey with a great ending - nice one dusk.
Thanks ME i was all at sea for an ending.
Excellent writing! The ending was unexpected for sure. Great job dusk!
Thank you Christina.
You've got me here. I was all about your tale entangled with you and Graciana trying to figure out the ending and there you come with the alarm clock. Oh no! Go back to sleep and write the end. Nice writing Dusk.
There have been several re-visits during my slumbers but it may take a man of Antonio's word mastery to write a further chapter..... meanwhile.... I invite your imagination to elaborate upon the tale. thank you.
Why? Are you telling me you are shy to write erotic? You can do it.
7 more comments
Such a wonderful write, I was with you all the way, even though I don't swim, did the treasure fall from your dream.
Into favourites with this one.
OOh high praise sir with the fav's thank you. Did you pick up on all those nautical terms.... i was a sea cadet too! Knew it would come in useful one day.
Oh yes, I have always been interested in the times of wooden boats and iron men, the Sea Cadets to whom I was Chaplain found it interesting as well when I spoke of those times.
1 more comment
a tantalizing tale and a half, with a bit of a surprise at tother end... well writ and muchly enjoyed DA.... Neville
Thank you Neville. This was so much fun to write whilst attempting to keep the grammar of the period.
you did good DA...
Neville
Dreams are reality in an alternate universe, and you penned a beauty here and drew the reader all the way to the end.
By the way, in that alternate universe,, they escaped to live a rich life - so I wish to believe.
Do you know that i just did not know where this writing was taking me until the very last minute when the alarm clock / dream idea occurred to me.
Now there's an idea you've given me Suresh,,, a continuation of this story,, hmmm we shall see.
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