On craggy cliff she stands
wind whipped hair obscuring view.
Brushes dampened curls away,
strains to see past white capped waves
searching, praying, waiting not so patiently.

She dare not disturb the keeper again.
Daily this past month she’d asked
news of tides and his predictions.
Fresnel lens flashes bright,
her beacon of hope these rushing days.

Against her pa’s advice
she’d married her sailor man.
Now she prays for his return.
Do not allow these ocean waters
to stake their claim.

Hands clutch railing,
winds gust strong.
Swollen belly tantrum rolls,
sharp quick little kicks
announce time is drawing near.

She trudges slowly up the lane,
returns to humble cottage.
Coaxes crimson embers to flame again.
Falls fitfully asleep in padded rocking chair
dreaming dreams to will him home again.

Written for Open Link Night at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets around the globe.

I will read this aloud on Saturday, October 14th, at OLN LIVE. If you’d like to join us in our 1 hour live session from 10 to 11 AM EST, click here and then click on the appropriate link for Saturday’s LIVE session with audio and video.

Photo was taken on Thursday, October 11 on the last stop of our Boston/Maine/Canada cruise. This is Portland Head Light on Cape Elizabeth in Portland, Maine. Construction began in 1787. It was first lit on January 10, 1791 using 16 whale oil lamps. The first keeper’s house was erected in 1816 and the first Fresnel lens was used in 1864. The lighthouse was totally automated in 1989.

Interesting fact: Boston Light, built in 1716 on Little Brewster Island, is the oldest continually used and only staffed lighthouse in the United States. In November 1989, just as the Coast Guard was preparing to automate the light and remove personnel from the keeper’s house, the U.S. Senate passed a law sponsored by Senator Ted Kennedy requiring that Boston Light be permanently manned. The law also required that public access to Little Brewster be facilitated and in 1999, the island and lighthouse grounds officially opened to the public. Until 1998, the keeper climbed the stairs twice a day to maintain the light. Finally automated in 1998, the light is always “on”, ending the keeper’s need to climb the stairs. But a keeper still lives on Little Brewster, maintains the lighthouse and provides tours to the public.