It was Broome to Darwin –
but we skipped
part of the Sound,
and cut across
the top of the Gulf.
Not enough time
to hug and explore
those long, intricate shores.
It was 40 degrees plus
(Celsius); only warm salt water
to tip on ourselves
from a bucket dipped over the side.
Fresh was rationed for drinking –
couldn't always find
pool or stream
up the inlets.
It was clear nights
lounging on deck;
uncountable stars
crowding the vast black dome overhead;
and one tiny, quick white satellite.
It was crocodiles sunning.
Waterfalls. Four-storey tides.
Beach sand inland, impossibly high.
Note: 40ºC is 104ºF. (It was the tropics! But the nights cooled off somewhat).
Responding to a prompt at 'imaginary garden with real toads', to write on sailing in 100 words max (excluding title).
Thanks for your response Rosemary. Luv your amazement, rythym and recall, reads like a chant
ReplyDeleteMuch love...
This is almost hallucinatory in its iteration -- the details of this sailing surely burned themselves into the speaker. I read sea-tales voraciously for some years--it's where I got my online handle Brendan--there is something about the extremity found there which is like opium to the reader. Anyway, this burns so finely without ornament or much need for narrative: the net is brimming with the voyage. Great work.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a great adventure. It was a journey of some weeks, and included events of which I could make several narratives – but not in just 100 words.
DeleteTo me it sounds like paradise my older self would avoid... Too much of comfort missing, but we miss the countless stars... Sounds like a very small boat... (But I think it was the same size as my first adventure)
ReplyDeleteWell, it was 28 years ago! I didn't find it too uncomfortable then, but wouldn't contemplate it now. It was a fairly small boat, yes. There were only three of us on board, and that was a bit crowded. And yes, it was paradise too.
DeleteSounds pretty wonderful--warm but in a sultry way--and difficult but in retrospect cherished. Thanks. k.
ReplyDeleteMore than warm, Karin, in the daytimes – excessively hot. But you can acclimatise to anything.
DeleteSounds like a really nice boat outing, Rosemary. I'm envious because I am betting it was over in N.Z. It is sooo pretty, we did a Princess Cruise around the Eastern and Southern shores (then over to Tasmania and ended in Sydney).
ReplyDeleteTwo weeks ago we were at the opposite end of the world, crossing the Artic Circle north of Iceland.
..
No, JIm, Broome and Darwin are in the troipical far north of Australia. It was HOT.
DeletePS I'm pretty sure they don't have crocodiles in NZ, either.
DeleteSo sorry, Rosemry. I don't know my Aus geography very well I think, though, that I knew Darwin was in your north. I didn't see any crocks any place but Crocadile Dundee I did know. As far south as Tasmania? We have alligators here in Southeast Texas.
Delete..
No, our crocs are up north in the hot places. I saw alligators in Florida. They are not nearly so dangerous as our crocs.
DeleteHa. So real. I have been in places similar. 80% wonderful. 20% scary.
ReplyDelete...and of course sometimes they are the same!
ReplyDeleteYes. 100 words didn't leave me room to mention the storm, nor the huge whirlpool. As you see, we survived.
DeleteThis was so beautifully written - it gave me chills and transported me to those desolate waters.
ReplyDeleteGood adjective! Yes, we most often saw no-one else around.
DeleteSounds like a wonderful adventure to have had. You are brave and daring.
ReplyDeletePossibly less so now, some decades later. :-)
DeleteYou took me there. I can SEE that bowl of stars. Have sen such a sky, in the heavens above the small islands off of Tofino.
ReplyDeleteOh I feel as if you are close to where I live now...the unbearable heat and the crocodiles and waters -- however I've not seen the "uncountable stars" here and wish for that! Enjoyed the rhythm in this...Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteVery similar to where you are, Stacie. The area I'm talking about here is even closer to the Equator, but only a little. I spent a lot of time there 30-odd years ago, including this boat trip.
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