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X Angel
Senior Member

since 1999-11-07

Posts 1521
Oregon

0 posted 2003-04-09 10:48 PM

The Light Keeper

shuffling steps bring him nearer
as he painfully surmounts the stair
and struggles with an arthritic hip
and a heavy load
in his arms
and his heart

shifting his burden
he reaches for the knob
shiny and worn smooth
from years of routine
from a lifetime
of unceasing attention
and duty

for he is the keeper of the light
the brave guardian of the seas
the watcher of the angry waters
that would swallow sailors
in one hungry gulp
with nary a trace
but splinters washed up
on a shore somewhere near

his solemn vow
to protect all voyagers
on this rough coast
for he has loved, and lost here too
and fears it to happen again
so in his vigilance
he burns a light bright
penetrating into the deep horizon
a beacon that shines
more pure and with a stronger light
than ever known
for it is fueled by love
and love lost

setting his package heavily
on a smooth worn bench
(it contains a portrait of her)
he adjusts the light brighter
for tonight, he mutters
a storm comes
a fierce one that hasn't been seen
in these regions for over fifty years,
soon he has the light so strong
and shining so bright
it lights the fog
and the darkness for many miles
proclaiming a safe harbor to all who seek it

far off in the distance
he can see faint whispers of light
echoing through the storm
as the clouds and rain part
letting him know there are ships
to keep vigilance for
this dark, stormy night

busily he makes ready for the gale
tightening the windows
locking the doors

patting his faithful cat, ‘Bluebeard'
he coos softly to the old feline
that the storm will pass
‘they always do'
the cat, unconcerned,
nestles deeper on his cushion

the old man heats his coffee
and tamps his pipe
(while the old cat finds a lap to sleep on now)
as the old sailor settles in for a long night
of watching the ocean
and making sure no ship founders
without a watchful eye to see
without a cry for help

soon the seas rise in anger
lashing at the rocks below
calling to him
to come
it's come to carry an old sailor home
to his heart's desire

higher and higher the waves
creep up the lighthouse walls
stealthily
like a thief
coming into a house unaware
but this thief brings a gift
one he has waited these fifty years for

age has it's toll upon an old heart
and mind
and the old sailor's breathing soon
deepens and becomes rhythmic
as he sleeps
and dreams of her
his fair haired beauty
taken so long ago
by an angry storm
on this very coast
on these very rocks
and he sleeps on and on
sighing and smiling
and murmuring her name
as his old cat snuggles deeper
in his broad lap

morning comes
awash in sunlight and screaming gulls
and there, out on the coral reef
lay a foundering ship

for she had no light to lead her home
and where the lighthouse once stood
were only a few pieces of stone
a shard of glass or two
and a rain streaked portrait
of a fair haired beauty

~X~

Masked Intruder

Moderator

Senior Member

since 1999-05-23

Posts 1231
Near golden sunsets

1 posted 2003-04-09 11:59 PM

Amazing story, love. Reminds me a little bit of Nickel Creek's "A Lighthouse's Tale". Casts shadows in that direction, at least.

But, yes. I loved the imagery, the sorrow and hope set into the mood. It was all spectacular.

Justbleu
Member Elite

since 1999-08-31

Posts 3329
Oregon, Originally From Alaska :)