'The Weathered Man' & other works by Diego Reyes

The Ship

On Lonely Beach is where I was born and on Lonely Beach I will be rescued.

The ship was near but out of reach,

& here I was crying for its hand on Lonely Beach.

The sun, who's rays gave birth unto me, torments me with his heat.

The palm trees mock me by casting a shadow over my body like a blanket made for a fool.

After all this time my body can no longer endure the island's harsh environment.

So hungry, so thirsty.

Nevertheless, the ship was destined to come my way, and how I long for its anchor.

The pace was careful and slow.

The appearance was tall and bulky.

But above all,

His most intimidating trait was that his design was handsome to a fault.

I desire him.

Oh, the food the ship will bring to me!

The wonderful balls and luxurious beds that I will lay upon.

I clutch my hands on the glass sharp sand that has been my bed for 21 summers.

This dream, this fantasy!

Oh, it should be mine!

There! It's on its way now!

I can see it speeding towards my rescue.

I laugh at the sun; I laugh at the trees!

I stomp on the shadow blanket that will

No longer engulf me.

The ocean's waves grew in intensity.

Is she joining me in celebration?

I hear her waves clap, I hear her roar.

Then I, too, will join in clapping and roaring at the shore.

What a joyous moment this is!

Begging for the ship's attention, I cry, 'Oh please can he see me!?"

He's still steering towards me with all the might a barge can hone.

I cannot wait to eat! To drink! All in this new home.

The ocean! I never seen her act in such a way!

Is she quickening his pace?

But the waves, I saw, have grown. They multiplied in company, grabbing at the ship's sides.

She yanks him west! Yanks him east, away from my location.

Finally, the ocean moves him west.

The ship, though destined for me, was powerless against the ocean. She won.

She will eat, she will drink.

I will starve, and I will thirst.

I crawl away back into a palm tree's shadow.

I lay on the jagged grains of Lonely Beach,

My body curled in defeat.

I can almost hear the island's sounds as it hisses mockery.

I look out to the sea and see him.

The ship passes by me on Lonely Beach

As it does every summer.