on a lonely jetty one woollen day

i sat with the wind and the wind was with me

and as i watched

she gently pushed some scattered clouds inland

carried tiny waves to the shore

little waves that purged our beaches

like they were slowly washing the hands of a gentle sinner

she laughed and touched my skin

“young man on a lonely jetty” said she

“young lover” for she was unacquainted with formality

“my touch is cold as i wander the sea

then why do you sit here with me”

a number of seagulls with a not too dissimilar gathering curiosity

seemed a little anxious at my presence on the decaying jetty

for some years now it had been out of use but for the birds and barnacles

who were delighted when local trade abandoned the pier

i looked out across the briny sea

and spoke to the wind that questioned me

“your song is your spirit

tis wild and free

in a gentle sigh or as a howling

it’s as passionate as can possibly possibly be

but today and why this is i know not

today i am here for the sea”

the wind blew around me with greater measure

as if what i had said had aroused her pleasure

“young man young man

the sea is vast the sea is grand

from where you sit or even stand

you’ll not see much beyond the waves or sand

i’ll tell you this all you can know about the emerald sea

for we have been as one and will be for eternity”

i said not a word as she spoke

for i knew her to be right the most i could see

was within my sight so i bothered neither to struggle or fight

and as she sung her music filled me