Red Sky

I once fell asleep 

to the beautiful red sky

as it’s dawn turned into darkness

and time passed by

My friend was there with me

with a smile on his bearded chin

as we drank and laugh

until our tiredness kicked in

It was calm and nice

being rocked side to side

falling asleep gently

moving with the tide

The next days were booming

work here and work there

“Raise the Mast!” they’d shout

to try and move with the air

Yet one morning was different

as awoke the sailor hoard

my friend came by screaming

Was there a man overboard?

We rushed to the deck

wondering what demise

but what I saw was better:
It was that same night sky

Though we stopped and stared

at the sky blood-red

I then realized

why we were filled with dread.

As quickly as the red

left and came back

the sky morphed before our eyes

to the dreaded color black

The gentle swaying motion

which was once so ever calm

began to rock us to intensely

just holding on callused your palm.

We ran on the deck

we ran to the bow

we ran to find others

but where was my friend now?

The lanterns shut out

the breeze rolled in

It was as if watching

the creation of hell begin

I turned to the left

I turned to the right

A board in my face

and suddenly gone: my sight.

- - -

I woke up the next morning

Right eye swollen, left eye sore

as I looked right below me

and saw my friend on the floor

Beer in one hand

Bloody board by his side

I realized his intentions

when I felt the water subside

The gentle motion returned

as we began to wake up

My friend saw me alive

and offered me his cup

So we drank, and we laughed

and made merry of this fright

As we saw land in the distance

and knew we’d be there by night.