LightHouse


Waves batter on dark rocks 
Which seek to offer protection 
A shallow promise, 
But one still accepted 

Standing tall upon an island 
Sits in magnificence 
A LightHouse, 
Beacon for all whom its light touches. 

I remember climbing up, 
Those long winding stairs, 
So that I could look out 
Over our vast ocean of experiences. 

I could feel the cool sea breeze 
As it sliced across my face, 
The pure ecstasy of it all 
Like a dream that was never mine to have. 

I look back fondly still 
On those days so sunny, 
Down by the seashore 
Everything was just, perfect. 

One day I recall 
Being able to see through that dark fog. 
Another Lighthouse, 
It looked different somehow. 

I never questioned it 
The peeling paint 
Or the cracked foundation 
I was too young to understand.

Ordinary was the perfect disguise, 
For how I perceived us 
I mean we looked just like everyone else, 
But something was always, different 

I began to feel it, 
That melancholy wind, 
Which astonished the scales of fish 
Freed from their homes, still fresh. 

Then the tide began to come in,
At first I didn't even notice
Just another Thursday,
But it would never wash out again.

I guess it never occurred to me, 
What happens when the rain dries up
What happens when the paint starts to strip 
What happens when the glass shatters and the wood snaps 
What it would feel like when you split me in two with your scalding knife 
When your words melt away years of my memories 
When you told me it was all a lie, 
I never noticed it but, you were tearing this place down 

You were cruel enough 
To give me a raft, 
So that I would not drown 
At least not right away. 

Now I float adrift in open ocean 
Looking to find something to cling to, 
Even just to find someone else 
Who knows the slightest touch 
Of the pain which racks my mind, 
Someone else who knows 
The insanity of isolation,
Would be enough to make me feel again. 

I am left to toil through my emptiness
Searching for that feeling of euphoria
Which is only felt,
Through the warm embrace of pain

I found someone once, 
Who gave me that coveted desire 
I can still feel her love, 
As I run my hands across the scars on my chest. 

A memory interrupted,
As earth rises from Sea
Absent minded I stare,
Ashore is where I’ll dream.

Here I sit, 
Alone on my deserted island, 
Alone in my mountainous paradise,
Recalling my past through a hollow metaphor. 

Calling out to passing ships, 
Only for my voice to be carried away, 
Plucked from the sky 
By my own cruel hand. 

I have always wondered?
What was the reason all this has happened?
Was it me? 
No one ever bothered to let me know 
So it must be true. 

I look out onto the horizon, 
As the sun's final lights, 
Glint red on the white capped waves
I see something, 
Standing tall, 
Upon an island of dark rocks 
Sitting in disgrace 
A LightHouse.
Built by you, 
Calling out my name, 
Over the ocean stained black 
From your dreadful desperation.

Nathan Gravelle

Editor: Sophie Staii