From The Hidden War

I was walking the beach
when I heard loud words in waves pounding
where flattened foamy water flows over slanting sand

red lights began shining from a boat’s stern
still hidden as the fog started to lift
the sail was then luffing in a slight breeze
she was chanting a farewell
she didn't expect me to hear
but I could hear quite clearly
as she turned her words into incantation

i was on the shore throwing shells
into that same breeze hoping to slow it down
by some magical means

i couldn’t help but focus
on the cut pieces of dark seaweed
strewn in a track across the beach
marking the last tide’s change of direction

i wondered if she would swim
after finally getting around the jetty
with its sharp rocks
i heard her words again
this time in an old dead language
it was the language of our parents
they who always knew everything
and at the same time knew nothing

fate had a way of diving deeper
in an attempt to make words float
i could see you moving
fast away from me on the water
but is speed who you really are?

with your limitations of doldrum wind?
and broken promises? how many?

  John Silver__