the ship bellows loudly against the crush of the sea

creaking and sloshing against the hull

as i try to sleep in my bunk

or stand watch out across the darkened hue of the watery void



as each day breaks i am shifted, slowly, to another realm

sea birds squawk and cry high above the mast

the water is greener and horizon begins to reveal vague definition

as land becomes less distant and is gradually upon



with shaky legs i am reawakened to the sounds of the shore

sand under my toes and the rushing of water against land

strange birds sing at the tree line and palm fronds rustle against the sky

late sunshine glows through the pink haze of evening and the orange ball fades


**originally posted to my blog https://sublimeobscenities.wordpress.com on 4/25/2014