Thunderstorms pushed my small sailboat ever farther from shore. Superior, cold, deep, held skeletons — ships and people – long picked clean by pike and sturgeon, on its sandy feet. Dusk crept into the blackened maelstrom. I remember feeling an overpowering weariness and turning my fate over to the Queen of the Great Lakes; my heavy eyelids closed as I curled on the rough cabin cot.
I dreamt I was the moon, my light cutting through the storm like a laser to shine on a small blue bobbin being tossed amongst the expanse of my waters. My first thought: are there no bounds to human folly? Haven’t there been enough examples to stop putting my majesty to the test? About to strike with lightning to crack it in two, a sparkle caught my eye – her prayer for mercy. I smiled – and calmed.
Sarah is today’s host of dVerse. Sarah says:
- So, remember, this is prose, not poetry.
- You have 144 words to tell your story.
- Mr Linky still applies – don’t forget to link up.
- Remember to read and comment on the work of others
- And have fun!
“I dreamt I was the moon.” — quote by Alice Oswald, Oxford Professor of Poetry
Painting: Joseph Mallord William Turner, “Snow Storm—Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth Making Signals in Shallow Water, and Going by the Lead. The Author Was in this Storm on the Night the Ariel Left Harwich.”
Tao Talk 
What a marvelous story! And that image is perfect for it.
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Thank you, Linda. It’s always a fun adventure finding an image that fits.
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Yes, it is!
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OK, you almost went to the dark side. The reprieve was a welcome event.
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Glenn, thank you and I’m glad you liked the reprieve :)
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I like the way this circles – is the woman dreaming about her own boat and her own prayer for mercy? Maybe we need to heed those prayers – we are often hardest on ourselves. Very atmospheric, Jade.
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Yes, Sarah, you got it :) Thank you for reading and your thoughtful comment.
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This was a very strong write Lisa. I felt the fury, and I felt the mercy – great write!
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Rob, thank you for your positive comments and glad you connected with the poem.
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A very scary situation, and knowing there were others that had perished in those waters wasn’t a good thought. All she could do was hang on and wait for a miracle. I think she was granted one. :)
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Thank you very much for your comment, Barbara. Lake Superior is so cold at the bottom that the bacteria that could decompose wood/bodies/etc. can’t survive there. I read an article a few years back about bringing some of that old wood up and making violins out of it.
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So lovely. I immediately started singing, the legend lives on from the Chippewa on down…I love the helpless, hopeless certain death staved by the sparkle of a prayer.
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Wonderful comment, Victoria. Gitch-ee-Goo-Me never gives up her dead… Thanks for reading :)
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Beautiful! :)
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Thank you, Na’ama! :)
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A tempest the Great Lakes can be! It reminds me of “Christmas Schooner”. It is a musical and if you like tradition and theatre, you should look it up. The music is amazing and it is based on a true story. I think it plays every (maybe every other) year in Chicago…
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Will look for it, thank you for the recommendation.
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Lisa that was wonderful. I want to read the book! You should write more. I found It captivating 🙂💕
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Christine, thank you so much for your support. Maybe one day…
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Your prosery gave me a thrill, Jade, it’s so eerily beautiful! I love the mystery and horror of the ‘cold, deep, held skeletons — ships and people – long picked clean by pike and sturgeon’, and the shift from the dark depths to the light of the moon.
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Kim, thank you so much and glad you connected with it :)
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You really set the mood with this one and love the twist … really well written!
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Thank you, Kate. I read yours also and couldn’t leave a comment. WP glitches probably…
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comments are open now, thanks Lisa … no need to return :)
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:)
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I love the sparkle as well.
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:) Thanks
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A Turner painting is perfect for both this prompt and your words. I like the twist in the point of view. And mercy is a good ending–in short supply these days! (K)
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Thank you for your thoughtful comment. Yes, mercy for myself :)
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I like the reflexive nature of this story, and the resolution, a close call.
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Paul, thank you for your thoughtful comment.
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:)
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As deep and mysterious as the sea itself is this one! Beautiful!
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Frank, thank you so much. I enjoyed writing it.
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This was captivating from start to finish. And the image fits perfectly with your theme.
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Barry, thank you very much. Glad you connected with it.
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