deepundergroundpoetry.com
THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER
Outside a storm rages
hurricane winds
blow relentlessly
trying, in vain, to topple
the phallic sentinel
giant waves
lick the painted walls
coating its length
in salty foam
Inside the tower
the keeper,
with surprising agility
for his age,
clambers up
the tall spiral staircase
to inspect the light
which he finds
to be in working order
the Fresnel refracted
beam, like gleaming swords,
penetrate deep
into the blackness
Now descending,
from out in the squall
he hears the familiar
steady, muted hum
of the assaulting wind
and the plaintiff
moan of the foghorn
familiar, comforting music
like that of a long ago
memorized tune
remembering what awaits
him at the bottom of the stairs
he quickens his pace
There she stands,
his companion
for so many years,
his face glows
entranced by her
never-fading beauty
long lustrous hair
cascades over her shoulders
deep blue, soul embracing eyes
appear as a tropical sea
full lips form a kind, inviting smile
flushed alabaster cheeks,
a hint of her excitement,
the partial globe
of her left breast
peaks from her slightly
parted robe
He enfolds her
in his strong, weathered arms
intoxicated by her scent
overwhelmed by her acceptance
they hungrily kiss
whispering
he professes his love
they part
as he puts a record
on his ancient phonograph
“may I have this dance”
he asks and she, once again,
collapses into his embrace
they waltz around the room
to Offenbach’s Barcarolle
He lays her down
near the hearth
the welcome heat
from the crackling fire
shields them from the
Winter’s chill
clutching one anothers
naked bodies
they become one
making sweet love
long into the night
The storm has passed
he awakes
to the sun shining
through the window
the only sound comes
from the needle riding the
final groove of the record
still turning on the player
she is gone
he quickly dresses
and rushes outdoors
his ritual search for her
he is greeted by
newly fallen snow
and the squawks of
seagulls flying overhead
smiling he gazes out to sea
humming last night’s Barcarolle
he imagines the happy day
when, with her, he will
sail away
hurricane winds
blow relentlessly
trying, in vain, to topple
the phallic sentinel
giant waves
lick the painted walls
coating its length
in salty foam
Inside the tower
the keeper,
with surprising agility
for his age,
clambers up
the tall spiral staircase
to inspect the light
which he finds
to be in working order
the Fresnel refracted
beam, like gleaming swords,
penetrate deep
into the blackness
Now descending,
from out in the squall
he hears the familiar
steady, muted hum
of the assaulting wind
and the plaintiff
moan of the foghorn
familiar, comforting music
like that of a long ago
memorized tune
remembering what awaits
him at the bottom of the stairs
he quickens his pace
There she stands,
his companion
for so many years,
his face glows
entranced by her
never-fading beauty
long lustrous hair
cascades over her shoulders
deep blue, soul embracing eyes
appear as a tropical sea
full lips form a kind, inviting smile
flushed alabaster cheeks,
a hint of her excitement,
the partial globe
of her left breast
peaks from her slightly
parted robe
He enfolds her
in his strong, weathered arms
intoxicated by her scent
overwhelmed by her acceptance
they hungrily kiss
whispering
he professes his love
they part
as he puts a record
on his ancient phonograph
“may I have this dance”
he asks and she, once again,
collapses into his embrace
they waltz around the room
to Offenbach’s Barcarolle
He lays her down
near the hearth
the welcome heat
from the crackling fire
shields them from the
Winter’s chill
clutching one anothers
naked bodies
they become one
making sweet love
long into the night
The storm has passed
he awakes
to the sun shining
through the window
the only sound comes
from the needle riding the
final groove of the record
still turning on the player
she is gone
he quickly dresses
and rushes outdoors
his ritual search for her
he is greeted by
newly fallen snow
and the squawks of
seagulls flying overhead
smiling he gazes out to sea
humming last night’s Barcarolle
he imagines the happy day
when, with her, he will
sail away
Published 4th Jan 2014
| Edited 13th Feb 2018
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 5
reading list entries 2
comments 15
reads 1351
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The author encourages honest critique.
4th Jan 2014 6:44am
4th Jan 2014 8:25am
4th Jan 2014 6:50am
4th Jan 2014 8:26am
4th Jan 2014 11:02am
i hear the music, i feel the tissue deep chill and bone deep heat radiating... loved the imagery.
4th Jan 2014 4:58pm
Thank you Mia! I am so glad this aroused your senses. I knew that you, of all people, would enjoy the Offenbach reference.
4th Jan 2014 5:13pm
4th Jan 2014 6:06pm
Thank you Blue...that's exactly the feelings I experienced while writing the piece!
10th Jul 2020 9:12pm
This is really beautiful, I was definitely taken in by the imagery. It was very easy to get immersed into the beauty of this.
11th Jul 2020 00:02am
Your comment makes me happy knowing that you appreciated the depth of the piece and that you were caught up in some of my magical imaginary worlds. I felt all elements of this deeply as I was writing and in a way was transformed to into that lighthouse keeper for a time.
10th Jan 2021 7:21am
I'm a lifelong lover of lighthouses as well. Their look, purpose and design. I'm enthralled by the isolation or in some way the protection. Your mutual appreciation is striking and surprising.. lol. I loved this poem, it's setting and ghostly imagery. The deep written feeling is evidentiary proof of your own romantic nature..
🌹
xo
🌹
xo
10th Jan 2021 7:28am
I am thrilled that we share a love for lighthouses❣❣ I have a dream of touring the lights of both coasts. I would love to spend some time living in one with a loved one of course. I am so pleased that you like my romantic ghost story depicted in 😘🌹
12th Jan 2021 1:23am
I wanna go there! What a beautiful description of such beauty, Love your mind
Thanks for sharing GW
Loves you
Jackie xoxox☺️
Thanks for sharing GW
Loves you
Jackie xoxox☺️
12th Jan 2021 1:51am
Thank you so much Jackie.❣❣ I am glad you enjoyed this meeting of souls. My mind is beautiful via osmosis...hanging out with beautiful souls like yourself🌹
12th Jan 2021 2:22am
