HOLD FAST

The storm rocked our ship. I hear the captain yelling hold fast! I’m holding fast! I see the clouds swirling the ocean as though they were one. HOLD FAST!

I hear the groans of the ship and cracking of timber and mast. HOLD FAST!

My grip starts to slip but I cannot be the cause of the loss of ship and crew. Mates. HOLD FAST.

The mast creaks then screams it break and crashes down to the deck. HOLD FAST!

The ocean is flooding over the deck making it hard to breath with salty death flooding your lungs HOLD FAST! I look through the whipped rain that feels like driven shards of glass for the captain. HOLD FAST!

My eyes are bleary with rain ocean and tears as I don’t know if I can hold much longer. The lines cutting its way through the calloused skin of my hands but I will not give up!

HOLD FAST! I look for the captain but see only the wheel spinning port and starboard like a hypnotic metronome dictating the lost cause of our struggle.

HOLD FAST! I look up and see the silvery clouds just above me. The clouds and the silver. HOLD FAST!

I won’t quit. I’ll be here forever holding fast for my mates. The ocean waves and driven rain above

Look to be distant. The wind is gone yet I see it’s hurricane strength blowing and whipping the waves and rain.

Hold fast.

It’s very cold. My mates are gone. I will never quit.

Hold Fast…