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.
Copyright © John A'Hern | Year Posted 2022
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment