Saturday 28 August 2010

Writers Island Prompt #18 - If Only

This was written for
Writer's Island
Prompt #18 - If Only


"Facing it, always facing it, that's the way to get through. Face it."- Joseph Conrad


S T O R M
The wind whipped her hair and wrapped it around her face, she reached up and pushed it back behind her ears.

She was too close to the edge, she knew it but didn't care.

It was exhilarating to feel the spray from the crashing waves and to feel the storm building. She squinted her eyes against the rushing wind and licked her lips, tasting the salt, tasting the ocean she longed to be a part of.

Towering clouds were racing across the bruised sky, grey and purple, like a vast mountain range and it was changing as she watched. . . morphing into ever darker more ominous shapes. Her heart was racing as the low rumble of thunder moved closer and the air crackled with electricity.

The silver black ocean hurled itself at the shore, crashing over the slippery rocks where she could barely keep her footing. She was soaked to the skin, wet strands of hair wound around her neck, her eyes stinging and streaming with tears.

Streaks of lightning turned the sky into a lightbox. . . and the waves roared, the thunder crashed and she could no longer hear herself think.

She screamed into the sound, joining it,
adding her energy to the display she was a part of.

She felt passion run through her like a storm . . . and she was the waves crashing and the arcing lights in the electric sky. She felt the thunder like a force within and the wind just kept on howling.

She fell to her knees, clinging on to the slippery black slate. . .
she was spent
charged
alive

One thought repeating over and over in her ocean filled mind . . .
If only I could stay here forever. . .

17 comments:

Deborah said...

Breathtakingly beautiful ... a fantastic piece of writing ... just wonderful!

flaubert said...

Beautifully written poem Susannah!
Pamela

Diane T said...

If only she had not been so in love with the ocean. I'm like that too, enjoy it when the waves romp in. Other people are screaming in terror, I am screaming in enjoyment! If only she had lived.

Elizabeth said...

Oh yes, yes, yes. This is incredible and does take my breath away. I can see her, feel her, but also the breath and width of the storm as it rages around her. Wonderful writing.

Elizabeth

Pan/Susannah said...

Diane T, she is alive! - in fact she had never been more so! :-)

Pan/Susannah said...

Deborah, thank you. :-)

Pan/Susannah said...

Pamela, thanks I appreciate your comment. :-)

Pan/Susannah said...

Elizabeth, I am glad you saw it, felt it. :-)

Thank you very much.

Mary said...

This is a strong poem filled with beautiful images. I can picture the storm so very well by reading your well chosen words!

Dasuntoucha said...

...I know that as the rhythm enters me

searching for my surrender

I will begin to dance
...

...that sounds so serene...felt those words for sure...lovely read.

RiikaInfinityy said...

Beautiful!:D If only I could stay here forever. . . such lovely words to conclude everything =P

Tilly Bud said...

Passionate and breath-taking.

Unknown said...

I loved the "ocean filled mind"... taken over by the ocean, i say! something that can never ever be replaced by any other feeling...

Anonymous said...

I, too, love storms and crashing waves. I was right there inside your beautifully written story.

Roan said...

Loved it! I kept reading faster and faster, wanting more. I was there, feeling, seeing, and hearing.

irene said...

You've captured the exhilaration of the ocean there!

Wayne Pitchko said...

Oh Susannah...this is good...and i am screaming in enjoyment also...thanks

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