70 THE CEDARVILLE REVIEW The Shipwreck by Alaina G. Lowery The hush of dusk has fallen on the sea. The only light’s a smear of glowing red That catches in the captain’s squinting eyes. He sings along to shanties ringing out, Too caught in song to notice how the wind Has changed. How much it snaps the canvas sails. A rumble deep below runs keel to sails. An eerie breath of silence rules the sea. The moment breaks, and once again the wind Picks up to usher fog in, tinted red From rays of sun. The nervous crew peers out Among the waves, in vain, with frightened eyes. There’s nothing. Still, they strain their tired eyes. The captain hoarsely calls, “Secure the sails!” “Look! Look!” A sailor juts his finger out At shadows lurking in the gray-blue sea. “Right there!” He yells again, his face gone red. He is ignored. He’s trusty as the wind. This time, the sailor’s right. Now gusts of wind Assail the ship, and men lift blood-shot eyes To monstrous waves that crack the painted red Hull. At the wheel, the captain shouts, “Drop sails!” “Aye! Aye!” The sails are dropped, but oh, the sea Has other plans. Tonight, there’s no way out. Bone-white limbs twist and slime over and out Around the ship, like gleaming serpents in the wind. “KRAKEN!” The beast will claim them for the sea. The captain pales; there’s fear in those wide eyes. Thick tendrils squeeze and snap the mast and sails. Still more crush men and ship ‘til blood pours red. Locked trunks of swag slide down a throat so red, And men plead, “Take me out, God, please. Please, out!” There’s no escape. The ship’s got rags for sails, And in the Kraken’s grip in such strong winds, They’re good as dead. Below, the beast’s cold eyes Spell vict’ry as the ship becomes the sea. What’s left but scraps of sail and scarlet red Blood swirling in the sea? The stars are out, And the wind mourns a captain with dead eyes.
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