Captain of the GaleA Story by Cherrie Palmership lost at sea
Previous Version This is a previous version of Captain of the Gale. “Hard about, prepare to jibe!” The Captain roared, with no time for delay, the seasoned crew went into action in unison with the verbal command. September’s weather raged extra rank, as the gale waged war against the body of the ship. The stress of the boom vibrated with crackles sounding like cannon fire, as they hoped to ride the mountainous waves and drop their sails. No time was given them to consider the rigging as blade was taken to rope, cascading waves of canvas fell to the ships floor. No pint-sized tempest would out bellow their captain his very stance was power and his voice boomed over the wind and thunder. White hot shots of lightning blazed from the ceiling of the storm, splintering the foremast in pieces. It would take a month of sunshine to dry the hull of that ship but somehow the bow was aflame. Men scurried about like ants in a wind tunnel. Their feet floated upon the surface of the deck, burning pieces of mast were tossed overboard. The jetting tides rocked the vessel with re-energized vigor and a man was lost to the deep. The captain had feet of iron and seemed affixed to the ship as he seized the helm and waited for the calm. But the calm was not in this place, only fierce winds and violent rocking rode with them. Sea-legs were not enough for the crew to hold their ground; they grappled for a hand full of tethered rope attached to each section of the ship. The men were arranged like toy figurines in a bath toy. The eyes of the captain were set fast ahead and they were as dark as the deep, and like the deep his eyes showed no fear. Nor did he wavier on his decision he would weather this nor'easter to clear skies of the ocean’s floor. Pride and a willful constitution brought a smile to his face.
© 2011 Cherrie PalmerAuthor's Note
Featured ReviewReviews
|
Stats
25 Views
6 Reviews Added on June 22, 2011 Last Updated on June 28, 2011 Tags: nature_storms_the sea Previous Versions
AuthorCherrie PalmerOakland, ARAboutI am a published poet and love poetry. I live near the White River, and love trout fishing. I find my surroundings a great inspiration to me. I also have two books on Amazon Kindle: Obsession Starts.. more..Writing
|