Young Storykeeper Volume III

246 | STORYKEEPERS VOLUME III AGE TWELVE | 247
STARRY BRIGHT
THE LIGHTHOUSE
I stand up straight and shine my light
hoping that they’ll be all right.
The fog is sometimes as thick as a door,
then the sailors need me and I help them to shore.
The waves may hit me, but I will still stand,
they weaken me, yet I will not move from this land.
The worst thing about my job is when I fail,
when I can’t guide them through the snow or the
hail.
One day a girl came to me, with fine golden locks,
I hate to say this but she tripped on the rocks.
It made me so angry, so furious, so bold
that I could not save her for I am too old.
The winter arrives and gives everyone a fright,
The sailors all need me in those dark, stormy nights.
But I feel very happy to be such a great help,
looking out at the sea, the sand and the kelp.
Oscar Sweeney
Co Leitrim
It’s a cold day in Cape Clear. I dump my shopping into the boat and board as
Miss Dowell shouts goodbye. I grunt in agreement and row towards Fastnet
Lighthouse, thinking of my dear father and the life of continuing the legacy he
condemned me to when he first lit the lantern in 1904. I thought of my wife
Margaret and how I was left with nothing the day cancer took her from me. I
have since lost faith in this cruel world.
As I tie up the boat, I hear a voice singing, more wonderful than anything
I’ve ever heard, making me forget any misery. The spray from the sea wakes
me up. I look at the lighthouse. No matter how much I complain about the
place, I can’t deny its beauty. The sea crashes against the jagged rocks beside
the tall white tower that holds some of the best and worst parts of my life.
Fastnet has seen me grow, it’s a shame my love for it has washed away
like sand on a shore. I’m wallowing in my despair; I hear the voice again.
Through the wild waves, I can make out the words of a song.
“Meet me where the sailors lived their final moments, for your misery
must do the same.” I have no idea what is calling me. It could be dangerous.
I remember the relief I felt when I heard the voice. I make a decision. I take in
the shopping, thinking about where I need to go.
“Where the sailors lived their final moments…” I know exactly where to
go.
I row and row, becoming increasingly aware of the darkness. I need to
hurry to light the lantern. After an hour I reach the mouth of a large cave. Many
sailors over the years have lost their lives here, including my parents. The pain
comes back to me. I’m so small against the gaping expanse of the cave.
The strong gust of wind that pushes me in catches me off guard. At first,
I resist but then just accept it. I am finally left peacefully on the waves deep
in the cave. I’m left alone, until I notice a light from around the corner. I row
around to investigate and see the most beautiful thing I have ever seen - a
goddess with shining skin and glowing robe. I knew right away that this was
what was calling me.
She sings,
“The words that I sing to you …
Till they come where your sad, sad heart is
And sing to you in the night
Beyond where the water is moving
Storm darkened or starry bright.”
I recall these words from a Yeats poem.
“You have it all wrong. Fastnet and Cape Clear are a blessing. Your wife
would not want you to live this way. You need to change your ways,” she says.
She blows softly and I am out of the cave and it’s amazing how much
brighter the world looks, though the sky is black and the stars shine.
Molly Greenhill
Co Down