Lighthouse Keeper

Lighthouse keeper vacancy announced Envelope delivered; contents read aloud A smile turned into laughter, then into a shout Parents and Son hugged before he set off. Applicants sitting quietly, Into the room strides a man Age etched on his face, a cheery smile, sparkle in his eyes Sat himself down in front of group Questions asked and answered, nothing is written down. The elderly man, watched and listened Hour after hour, ticking of the clock seemed louder He touched our hero on the shoulder The job young man is yours The day arrived, followed directions. Arrived at a place never seen before Waves raced toward the rocks of a lonely cove Met with the lighthouse keeper Somehow seemed rather sprightly Was this the same older man seen before? No time to waste, up the steps they climbed Reached the top, gasped at the scene 50 metres off the ground, sat this whitewashed pinnacle One eye that rotated, his at night to maintain. Months of training, time to let go the reins A shake of the hand, the old man disappeared Days turned into weeks and months Tending to the light that shined so bright. Standing at the perimeter of the one-eyed monster, Safety rails in place, sometimes holding tightly Voices are hearkened, that is absurd Cries of distress, carried by the wind. Down the steps faster than ever before Out into the night, all on his own The white foam of the waves, revealing nothing Did he imagine, his Flashlight scouring the sea Human lighthouse surveying the scene No sign of wreckage, voices no more Standing and watching, hour after hour Daylight brought the sunshine, eyes met with a sad sight Bodies on the rocks, how can this be? Down the steps, this time in a dream sequence Stood and looked at life taken Local lifeboat crew comforted a broken man Evening arrived, closed his eyes, demons appeared. Holding the safety rails tighter than normal this evening Dangerous voices inside him were calling Throw yourself off, repeated constantly His grasp relaxed; he had let go. Coastguard visit found our hero An old man stepped forth from the shadows Asked for cremation and ownership of ashes Ashes were scattered in places he knew. The lighthouse now manned by someone new On stormy evenings, as they hold the rail A figure would appear as bright as day A voice carried by the wind, never ever let go.