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
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 not within sight so i bothered neither to struggle or fight
and as she sung this music filled me