She stands as a sign of freedom, of a new life, of sanctuary and peace.
The boat is crammed with a stinking mass of bodies lying prostrate on the deck their cries turned to silence.
I stand alone then watching her and praying. Praying to a God that abandoned us somewhere between there and here. A God that gave salvation to women and children in a watery grave.
Even now the boat fills and there is no-one left to bail. To be so close, to have lost so much.
And if I make it?
How many steps will I take on that green land before they send me back to hell?
Please visit Friday Fictioneers and flex your gray matter!
Or take a read at some of my favorites this week.
http://greenwalledtower.wordpress.com/2013/09/11/gotterdammerung-friday-fictioneers/
http://anelephantcant.me/2013/09/11/arrival-friday-fictioneers/
http://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2013/09/11/friday-fictioneers-free-at-last/
http://walkertoennien.wordpress.com/2013/09/11/light-of-liberty/
http://anecdotelove.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/leslie-in-nyc/
Wow, that’s some very powerful writing. What a tragic situation; one that probably happened a fair bit.
Heartrending, but your prose is so deftly handled all the same. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you.
Very strong! You capture the emotion of the present-day immigrant to a tee.
Thank you so much
Heart-rending. Thanks for the pingback. 🙂
janet
My pleasure.
Dear Victoria,
This puts me in mind of the St. Louis.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_St._Louis Grim tale well told.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you so much. What a heartrending story.
Dear Victoria,
Is there a disease in the grim picture your tale tells? I like the mood you set and the mystery you left us with.
Aloha,
Doug
Thank you Doug. Scurvy?