Some say the ocean roars

From: An Owl on the Moon - September

     Beyond the glass façade the angel stands on the sandy shore with her dark hair draping a lily dress.

     “Sarah,” I whisper, as the cloudy veil is torn open and sunlight floods her frame.

     “Do you have to work today?” she asks.  “Can you take some time with me?”

     “So long since I’ve seen you,” I whisper. “I have no plans today.  I will stay with you.”

     “You must help me.”  As she says this she frantically pulls my hand toward the sea.  “Drink today of my horror and taste the mocking disease that has devoured me.”  At this Sarah falls on the shore.

     “What would you have me do?” I ask, partly in fear as I put my arm on her shoulder.

    “You have a small boat that maneuvers the tides?  Take me to that point on the waters edge,” she says pointing toward  the sea.  “Let me walk on that rocky ledge.”

     I bend down and look into her olive eyes, and the ocean screams silent; silent as she weeps.  Her hands seize the sand, and she speaks.

     “In distant days I unwillingly gave myself to the one I thought I loved; one who I thought loved me. Oh, such pain I feelingly remember.  He took me to that very spot and mocked my fear.  It was there he devoured my soul. And there, still, lies my pierced heart.  Such bloody sacrifice of one so young!”

     She is silent and I stare, watching relentless waves stripping the bloody stone.

     “How I tasted the bitter seed of Judas; betrayal with a kiss.”  At this I kneel beside her and she clings to me in tears.

     At nightfall we make our way past the sandy edge, and we enter the boat of our passage.  There is candle-flame in her eyes, illuminating her cheeks, as we ride the Intercessor.

     Our boat crests, lifting toward the whitening moon. In this thunder, she whispers, and I can hear nothing else.

     “I ran from here, but my eyes never wandered from this spot. Now, so many years after, this hell has become my haven. Just let me touch the stone so that my Morpheus will no longer companion my dreams, for here even the scattered shadows of grace adorn the darkness. O, what sacred, swifting silence.  Let me touch the stone! Just let me touch the stone!” At this she weeps.

     Her hand is outstretched as her fingers touch the rocky place where her soul and body were desecrated. I speak:

 

“Some say the ocean roars,

I hear it ever weeping.

Weep, ocean, weep for those gone before.

Weep, O sea, for the open graves that fill your shore.”

 

Author's Note

From: An Owl on the Moon - September

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my goodness Owl! what a great short story ..i am taking a class on short story writing and man you have nailed it in my opinion .. love the interplay of conversation ... the mix of the past lover .. her hindrance to find love anew .. and (i could be wrong) but the very subtle sexual innuendo ... it blazes across the seas sir! nice job .. really strong poetic closing that fits perfectly .. during my class i am attempting my first "short story" .. i aspire it to be as complete as yours .. nice job indeed!
E.

[An owl on the moon]

I cannot begin to thank you enough, my friend. Overwhelmed by your kindness. Thank you! And I'm so glad your taking a short story class. Can't wait to read your stories soon!!!

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ...................

[m3lody mae]

I really like this, it was emotional, the last 4 lines are wonderful. I can feel a certain passion in it.

[Nicole]

So heartbreaking yet vividly beautiful. Deception was my companion over the summer so I feel for Sarah's heart. Thank you for sharing.

[An owl on the moon]

I so appreciate you stopping by to read my words, Nicole. Aching in this summer that clothed you in deception. May you find peace as autumn comes.

[Nicole]

That’s so sweet. Thank you. I love Autumn so I’m looking forward to it.

[An owl on the moon]

I just picked up some pumpkins to decorate the front garden... Autumn has such a sweet magic. Enjoy. :)

[Nicole]

It absolutely does, thank you, you also!

[barleygirl]

This is written with a ton of flowing imagery, reminiscent of another era of writing, when descriptions were more flamboyant & dramatic. Your dialogue reminds me of a stage play where we can watch this conversation unfold -- not that this scene is perfect for dramatic treatment, but your dialogue conveys a sense of dramatic intrigue that feels like we're watching it unfold. Most of the time I don't get a deeper meaning from your pieces becuz it feels too mysterious for me to guess what ELSE your writing might be saying. This time, I got a lesson right away. Your story reminds me of the kind of person who becomes fixated by the one person in life that made him/her feel really bad, or the one who is suffering, or the one who seemingly needs help -- ignoring others in his/her life who are willing to be worthy companions, who might bring joy & good sharing. No, the tragedy arrests this person's attention while better possibilities are snubbed (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[An owl on the moon]

Reading your words, thankful for you, for your soul that listens to the thoughts and grasps the conversations. My soul is now sensing the coming storm, grateful for others on the journey. Yes, it did flow rather as a surreal play, and it still lives that way in me. (((HUGS))) Craig

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Wow Craig... beautifully chilling story. Sometimes we must go back to where heartache started in order leave it behind.

[An owl on the moon]

Ah my friend, always a joy to have you by. And yes, somehow the healing lies often in the pain.

[θεά]

I believe this is the first time I am reading your work, and I feel an instant pang of regret for not having read your works before. This is absolute masterclass. Such pain, such pathos, such poignance in your description. The alacrity with which you have transported the reader to the mis-en-scène, the calm yet disturbed oceanic waters, the raging waves inside the two hearts, the synergy between the external and the interior. Simply divine!

Thank you for sharing such a write!

Best,
M.

[An owl on the moon]

Dear poet, thank you so much for your deep kindness in coming by to read my words. Your thoughts lift me so much. Am grateful for your friendship here, and looking forward to reading your inspirations!

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

How often we must walk backward to recall forward is the true direction....

[An owl on the moon]

Yes, dear poet, so true. And sometimes we do not learn until we have fallen into the deep pit we could not see.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

How we so often willingly and unwillingly give ourselves to those who don't deserve even a piece of us..and then those haven like hells still haunt us...
This September write is my favourite of yours so far, Craig. Such a breathtaking read! x

[An owl on the moon]

You understand so well the pathways of the poem and this poet. Part of this rose from my memories of being molested as a child.. unable to protect myself because I was too small and weak... There are hells in all of us, I'm afraid, dear poet. x

[Gee]

This has the feel of a piece written in a much earlier era.
Top writing to be aspired to.

[An owl on the moon]

Truly appreciative of your kindness. (My soul might be older than I wish.) Wishing you a new week filled with endless inspiration, dear poet.

[Ardra]

Drink today of my horror and taste the mocking disease that has devoured me.”

September came with a sweet story of it's own...such apt. One for the season .....
Love the story and the boat ride...
This one sure is a fav. Of mine after June heheh...:)

[An owl on the moon]

I am so grateful for your words, and your encouragement here. Always. Her journey does grow darker with each season. May yours be only light.

[Ardra]

I find she speaks to me ....just like how your words always does.....Mmmm now you have me all curious about her what happens when Dec comes...waiting to read more... :)
Wishing light and bliss to surround you... always

[An owl on the moon]

May light and bliss always be with you as well.