waves pounded the blue sands
of my heart it seemed
i wrote a short note
and sealed my dream

reached far behind me,
then let it fly
would my message reach
a knowing eye?
 
driven back to shore
by an evil wind
i managed to retrieve it
and fling it again 

bobbing out into the sea
i watched til it disappeared
the message in the bottle
i hoped would bring some cheer 

i scrawled words in the sand
while i waited patiently
imprinted with my hand
what my heart had said to me 

the tides they ebbed and flowed
my patience it was tried
i thought my message lost
yet still i never cried 

i plucked the flowers growing
along the island's sandy shore
i hoped my message reached kind hands
and wouldnt be ignored 

some years went past,the dream remote,
yet still i watched the waves
i searched the guileless pale blue sky
my heart it was so brave 

one day i spied a bottle there
a shining crystal gleam
i opened it and read the words
of hope it seemed to bring 

"my heart, ill search til finding you
but til the day i come, light a fire,
and burn it well...
keep pounding on the drums..." 

the words inspired, i built the fire
the heat was most intense
the drumming of my heart most loud
the noise it did dispense 

oftener i slept and neared the waves
til one day saw a raft
twas my hearts desire, rowing hard
as he drew near i laughed 

i waded out into the surf
he drew so close to me
i had to pinch myself and ask
if he was reality 

we pulled the vessel to the shore
and anchored it most well
then he pulled me close and said
"my dear, what a story i could tell" 

i kissed him, stroked his hair
and whispered in his ear
"the story i would love to know
but im glad that you are here" 

he smiled at me in radiance
and held me closer, tight
twas then that i knew love had come
and all would be all right

Sherry Gilles ©1998 December

I sit and watch the sea 
picking flowers at my knees 
Watch the sky and feel alone 
Why is that - i dont know 
I sit and watch the sunrise 
then it sets, alone still 
so unbalanced with despair 
Then i spy the bottle clear 
what is that? it is unclear 
I splash into the waves 
retrieve the bottle 
trembling hands 
could this be what i have 
been waiting for? 
Pull the cork out 
see a note 
Pull it out and 
thank goodness its untorn. 
i read the message 
it's so clear 
feeling her heart's intentions 
they are so dear 
I take the note and flip it round 
scratch quick words 
"my heart, I'll search til finding you 
but til the day I come, light a fire, 
and burn it well.... 
keep pounding on the drums...." 
i seal it tight and toss it far 
pray the waves will take it 
to that lost heart 
i build a raft and make it tight 
prepare for a long flight 
i push it out into the waves 
begin to paddle 
my heart content 
i pray to the stars to guide me in 
take me to where it will begin 
i travel on, the days go by 
and still no land is in my sight 
my heart is troubled 
my hope grows dim 
but then the stars come in my dreams 
the voyage long, it must be years 
i travel how long - it is not clear 
through the night i sit and stare 
and spy a light, do not fear 
i strain  my eyes and hear the drums 
my heart rejoices the voyage is done 
I spot her standing on the shore 
she wades out to pull me home 
I draw her close 
i breathe her scent 
oh how i hope this is for real 
we pull the vessle to the shore 
and anchor it most well 
then i pull her close and say 
"my dear, what a story i could tell" 
she kisses me and strokes my hair 
and whispers in my ear 
"the story i would love to know 
but im glad that you are here" 
my heart rejoices, it is so clear 
she truely is most real 
i smile at her 
and hold her close, 
tight within my arms 
knowing for me the future has come 
my love at last have i found 
and all will be good and sound.
 
Max Zayas ©1998 December