Finding Land
…I heard the familiar scream of gulls and knew land was close.
I sat up and looked into the distance, shading me eyes with
me blistered hand. I saw a land full of trees.
I found a new strength and paddled with what muscle I had left.
I had to get on land. Oh, just to be able to stand straight once
again!
I finally was there - in me haste I left the small dingy and quickly
ran back into the water and caught me travel companion. It took some
time as me legs unaccustomed to running were weak, like a colt
turning to stand and take his first steps.
With the boat pushed far upon the sandy shore I stood trying
to catch me barrings - a tropical island I was on - no one
around, no houses, no port - no ships. I knew I had to take
care. Were there wild beasts? Were there untamed people? I had
lived to see land and I intended to live to see home. Somehow
I would get back home.
To be safe I would make me a new home on the waters edge. The
fear of sights and sounds unfamiliar would keep me at a moments
departure.
I must find water - with all the thick green bush and tall leaning
trees there must be fresh water.
I walk only a short distance discovering a familiar sound of
pounding water. I come across a water fall - bending on it’s edge
I taste the water and it is fresh, cold, and lacks the salty taste.
It is drinkable. I scoop some in my hand and drink slowly. At
once I feel restored. Sitting down I slowly look around.
Flowers of every color and size grow together on the island floor.
But I find no sight of animals - I hear no birds - I don’t even
see an insect. And, I feel totally alone.
I scoop some water into me jar and head back to the shore. I must
make me provisions for the evening - try and build a shelter.
As I walk back I think of me ship mates, did any survive and what
happen to the ship? All at once I hear the thunder of feet, not
your normal walking and not small feet - I hide low enough in a bush
and peek through a large flower - birds the size of people I spy
- I ask myself how can this be? I am afraid they will hear me heavy breathing.
The birds speak English, and talking among themselves they are curious to an
odor they smell - I know it’s me and they smell me fear. They look around
with large beady eyes - their beaks opening and closing. They seem to be
satisfied and start on their way on a clear path.
Oh, where am I? Have I lost my mind? I quietly make me way back
to the dingy and start my preparations for night.
I stand the dingy tall side up buried among the brushes. I gather
large ferns as big as windows to cover my body. In my hiding
place I clear a space for sleeping. It’s not much - but it is
hidden.
I gather fruits from a patch of trees I spied while searching
for fresh water. The fruits remind me of grapefruit that are the
size of cannon balls. Nuts have fallen not to far off. They appear
to be walnuts - their shells as big as me hands and laying
on the ground.
I sit with me strange dinner and stare out at the horizon. I eat
and give thanks for me food - I ask me maker to lead me home
and me heart aches. I curse the peaceful waters of the blue
green sea.
The sun sets quickly - I have avoided me make shift bed as long
as I can. I climb into the bush with my jar and hold it close,
tightly to my heart. I drift to sleep and dream of me Mum,
me brother’s laughter and large birds, swooping and pecking
at me back.
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