Days of silence
felt natural
to the lightkeeper
Responsibilities of keeping
the lighthouse working
were a constant challenge
Daily upkeep was a full time job,
while repairs ensured long days
Hard work was welcomed
by the lightkeeper as it
created a feeling
of happiness and security
Poor weather reinforced
his feeling of importance
While clear weather could bring
up feelings of uselessness
But the lightkeeper never wavered.
His lighthouse was kept to perfection –
sparkling,
shiny,
clear.
Brass so shiny
that you could almost see
your reflection in it
Glass so clear,
that the panes appeared empty,
as if waiting for the glassmaker
to come install glass panels
A wick kept trimmed at all times,
standing on guard
for the first sign of need
Lives depended on
the constant dance
between the lightkeeper
and the wick
Walking up the spiral staircase
produced strong feelings –
Memories of times past
Photos of happy families
who once provided protection
They laid claim to the wall
Never to be forgotten
Children taking first steps
and playing on the shoal
reminded us
that lives saved here
also began here
Isolation can be difficult to endure,
a small cottage built nearby
bridged loneliness
and togetherness
for families
Welcomed seabirds
Stopping for rest
Perform their melody
A musical interlude
brings joy to the day –
A safe place for rest
Bad weather beckoned
the lightkeeper to stay close,
as an ever watchful eye
would jump from wick to sea
In days long past,
an imposing storm rolled in
Leaving the daytime sky
As dark as night,
with waves relentlessly
pounding the rocks.
The waves, so high and heavy,
they rolled right over the huge rocks
onto the shoal,
like the rocks were tiny pebbles.
Before long,
the shoal was flooded
making it look
like the lighthouse
was floating in the sea.
The rain pelted the glass
with such force,
it created fear
glass would break,
Allowing rain to overtake
the lantern.
The whitewashed lighthouse
invisible in the storm;
flashes of lightning
illuminated the structure
momentarily bringing the
lighthouse back to us
Day and night
raged on
The lightkeeper
remained on duty,
keeping the lamplight bright.
As the storm died
and the waters receded,
the hurried anxiety
of the day lessened
But the night was young
and the lamp had to remain lit
The lightkeeper knew
he wasn’t alone.
In the stillness
that swallowed the night,
he knew he had generations
of lightkeepers at his side.
He could feel their presence.
He knew they would
never let him down,
and he would never
let them down.
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