Marooned
After our yacht was wrecked by the storm
I was washed up on a tropical island.
My two companions sadly had not made it
I found them both washed up and lifeless.
First priority was to bury the bodies
before they attracted unwanted attention.
With no tools I spotted a shallow cave perfect
putting them inside I covered the entrance with
loose rocks that had slide down the cliffs.
Near by another larger cave would serve as
shelter with a few palm leaves and dry grass.
There was even a hole in the roof that let out
the smoke from my fire made from sticks.
I found a stream near by so thirst no problem
collecting nuts and berries I noticed long frongs
that I wove into traps and placed them in both
the sea and stream. A parrot befriended me so
I had good company. The traps soon worked. Crabs
eels and lobsters caught inside a real feast.
With the flint I had earlier found I scaled
the cliffs and set a signal fire unlike down
on the beach the mosquititoes had a field day.
Yet I noticed they avoided a pungent plant
and rubbed it all over what a blessed relief
They soon left me alone. In time I fashioned
some rustic tools and built a hut near the fire.
Near by I spotted both wild pigs and horses
placing some feed I soon was able to touch
and eventually ride some of them making
both travel and hunting so much easier.
Apart from human company I had it all.
I tilled the ground and planted tubers I had
found, irrigation channels kept them moist.
Scoring a tree I kept vague track of time
as first one year passed then another with
no sightings. At long last I saw a sail and
lit my fire. The yatch headed my way I was
saved. With mixed feeling I left the island.
To return there with all I needed, which was
little, a yatch so I could come and go at
will. A few chickens, a calf, cat and a dog.
Some strong tools to till and sow the land.
Lastly a good fishing rod and a feather matress
here I would wile away my remaining days.
Copyright © Shadow Hamilton | Year Posted 2017
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