I used to love the sea

I used to love the sea; it’s placid tranquility.
All that changed one icy December.
I stand in a small vessel traveling into the sunset,
a favorite pastime since I was a lad.
Surrounding me is a small crew, paddling with delight

Despite the crowd around me
I feel like I am the last man on earth
The waves rock the boat just for me
The sunset illuminates my face alone
The sea hugs me with a passion I can’t explain…

Without warning the boat rocks violently
Pushed up by an unknown force
I topple over the side;
Grabbing only air on the way down
I hit the water in a tangle of limbs

I surface; I am in shock
The painful cold has gripped me
I can feel my legs tighten
I look into the distance to see
a ripple of water bearing down upon me

I stare into the eyes of the great beast.
It has no pupils, just two black fixed circles
There is no humanity behind the blackness,
a soulless creature prepared to eat me whole
I am nothing but unprotected flesh, a fast and easy meal.

In one ferocious bite my arm is ripped clean.
I scream in pain but mostly terror,
seeing the water turn dark red around me.
I scream for someone to help me, to reach out their arm.
The bastards just stare at me, paralyzed by fear.

I am prepared to die; for death to call my name.
I let my body slowly sink below the surface
allowing the water to envelope me.
I stare up at the blood and think about salvation
I used to love the sea; it’s placid tranquility