Silence

Tempest

Becalmed upon flat ocean,

Praying for wind to loft our sails.

Time drags, while food dwindles,

Trapped on this vast blue expanse of water.

Land last seen months ago,

Men wishing for terra firma.

Sail rustles slightly,

Men stare with bated breath...

Willing it to move again.

Cheer...roars from parched throats,

Hope rises in depressed breasts,

Men clamber excitedly over rigging,

Like ants over a picnic.

Gentle wind picks up,

Gathers pace,

Strengthens,

Pushing the ship on its way.

Men standing at the bow,

Savour the taste of sea spray.

Laughter reverberates,

As men sing songs,

While beer flows.

Crows nest cries warning,

Men turn heads to starboard and stare,

Fear slaps their eyes!

Upon the horizon,

Black clouds grow,

Speeded on by traitorous wind.

Mens hearts torn from joy,

Rush in haste to secure,

To batten down and prepare.

Grey, black seething monster,

Brews, grows upon the horizon,

Devouring blue skies greedily.

Mens hearts sink to the bottom,

Beating frenzied tattoo upon a drum.

Captain screams profanity,

Sparks to ignite last vestiges of hope!

Ship keels from growing tempest,

Upon mens faces gloom protrudes,

Mirror image of following storm.

Angst eats at constitution,

As ship flees upon the waves,

Rolling, toiling struggling upon the headway!

In increments to vast to measure,

Tiny ship upon ocean vastness,

Swallowed up by maddening storm.

Lightning sears the sky,

Striking upon crazed waves,

Lighting up the seas for all to see their doom.

Thunder follows with deafening crescendo,

An orchestra of fearful cacophony,

That weakens knees, but also spurs.

Fight for life now paramount,

Insignificant puny mortals,

Tirelessly struggle against natures tirade,

Wooden creaking boat,

Screams in anguished pain!

Men blown from cracking breaking masts,

To be gobbled up by greedy waves,

Which bash with whetted tongue,

Upon the deck,

Flicking bodies into the abyss!

Captain stands steadfast upon the helm,

Steering ship doggedly,

Drenched in oceans drool,

Not yet ready to submit,

To watery graves embrace!

Wind howls, screeches its dire song,

Lashing water all around,

Tears at Captain pushing, shoving,

To no avail!

Tied upon the helm,

Fate forever sealed,

Outcome now evenky spread...

Death or Life?

Grim determination upon creased browned brow,

No longer sun shines on him.

Eyes widening in shock,

He stares with disbelief,

Wave of epic proportion rises,

Slowly from the depths.

Howl of despair escapes his lips,

Heard by all, above the tempest.

Eyes follow Captains face,

Then rise upwards till the crest,

Like a hand from heaven,

It descends upon the insignificant.

With a resounding crash,

The wave submerges,

Turning, tearing apart, man made vessel.

Gurgling scream escapes mens lips,

As water invades where air must be.

Bulging lifeles eyes view their brethren,

As they peacefully sink to oceans floor.

Captain views with bated breath,

Before he must gasp for air,

Final demise of crew and ship.

Above the tempest does subside,

Black grey clouds bourn away,

Peaceful blue sky resides,

Above a sea of calm.

Lone piece of ship floats,

Bearing shore ward,

Captain's silent form.

Heavenward he stares,

With tears, burning lines upon his face.

Silently he suffers torment,

Knowingly that to earthen prison,

He does wash upon.

What worse curse is there,

Than to be trapped upon land,

Alone?

No escape from this isle,

Severed from his ocean mistress,

Upon who he now cannot sail,

Loving, yet cruel,

But fair upon all.

Woe that he alone did survive!