Hazard Ahead

this breakwater's outer side
shows rollers riding in fast
angry and turbulent
seething with rage

driven by an easterly wind
strong in intent, hell bent
on preventing walkers from
daring to pursue a morning
stroll

yet one fool, oblivious to
danger, a stranger to common
sense, refuses to bow to ocean's
strength

he attempts to traverse the
length of the barrier between open
sea and inner harbour, unafraid
of consequences

a stampede of white crested horses
relentless in their charge, like the
light brigade advance, sabres rattling,
no mercy, smashing into defences

waves whipped to a heightened frenzy
crash, sending a surge of salt water spray
over quarried blocks and mighty rocks
sealed in concrete

trouble brewing like the undoing
of a brass lamp to release a genie
who won't grant three wishes

a fortunate fool, though soaked in
foam, he narrowly avoids being flung
where the fish swim deep, managing
to salvage a little pride

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

sometimes we win...sometimes we loose ... and sometimes we squeak by :) very appropriate for the times Christine ... too many on sides that now are overtly expressing violence if, like two year olds, they do not get their way .. so much damage has been done and continues .. i have to just shake me nog and walk away in a big sigh :(((((((((((((((((((((((((( great job of setting the scene and character development .. i heard the waves .. loved the thrill of defying those fast, high rollers ;) i think surviving it is a big win for him.
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Mr E so happy for your visit. Yes, we are living in really challenging times. We are on holiday and I managed to visit my mum in her nursing home. Sat outside a closed window, blowing her kisses and smiling. We couldn't converse, but tomorrow I have asked they give her a phone, so at least I can talk to her. Yes, that fella was blooming lucky he didn't end up in the briny. Thank you so much and take good care of you and yours.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

my heart goes out to you and yours Christine .. a truly heart breaking situation .. i know those who had family in Hospice and past ... yet they could not find a way for loved ones to be present .. its not acceptable says i! >;/

[Chris Shaw]

Horrible times Mr E. The vulnerable and the elderly suffer most :((

[Dave Brown]

he's a fortunate fellow with seas less than mellow, things could have ended not particularly swello
perhaps, and I'm just sayin, he did lotsa prayin which enabled him to be stayin on shore

[Chris Shaw]

What a lovely little rhyming response here Dave. Yes I would imagine he considered himself most fortunate and counted his blessings after the event. I had my phone ready expecting to call the coastguard. Happy Thursday to you.

Chris

[Vertigo Cat1111]

I love the way this storm and such is described! So detailed and like such a storyteller and the mention of the saltiness of the water is always a nice add!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Colacat. Pleased you enjoyed the read and my appreciation of your visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[Vertigo Cat1111]

My pleasure, I really do love reading it!

[.]

Dangerous stroll across a coast... I finally heaved a sigh of relief.... So nicely narrated......

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Sima. Pleased you enjoyed this read. Lucky guy. He was fortunate not to have been thrown in. Not wise to ignore the power of the waves. Have a happy Thursday.

Chris

[.]

Happy Thursday to you too...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Excellent free verse descriptive of an incident that I bet is played out time and time again all over our coast line Chris. Wise to stay out of the storm!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks John. Wise advice but some just don't and won't heed it. They think they know better. When the sea is that angry you keep your distance instead of trying to embrace. Happy Thursday. Been reading about herd immunity. I understand the points put forward. I truly do. There is much merit in some of the debate, but I can't find enough to swing in that direction. It's a real problem this virus and how we choose to tackle it. There is no easy solution is there?

[John Alexander McFadyen]

There was another report on Radio 4 this morning Chris about concern about excess deaths. We are talking huge numbers over the course of this pandemic and beyond that when offset against the 'covid-deaths' (which are deaths within 28 days of a positive covid test and for example my uncle was included in this group despite dying from natural causes at 90 odd years of age!) would mean more deaths than the normal flu season which claims 12,000 a year in the UK.