Lighthouse Keeper’s Watch

On a rugged cliff
the lighthouse stands
a beacon of hope in the storm
its light cutting through the darkness
guiding ships to safer waters.

The keeper tends the flame with care
a solitary watch in the night
his only companions the stars above 
and the crashing waves below.

In the stillness
he listens to the sea
its endless whispering of secrets
a timeless conversation with the shore
a dance of light and shadow.

Reviews

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

this was an incredible narrative. there is so much poetry in a lighthouse keeper's life. the solitude, the bountiful scenery, his mission to protect others. the sailor does not know the lighthouse keeper, but without him there'd be a wreck. i really enjoyed this work. but i am also very glad you avoided turning this into a metaphor within the text. i liked how we stayed with our grizzled hero until the end and watch him work, allowing the reader to pick up on any meanings.

[Red Brick Keshner]

It was tough not to but I tried to stay true to the ghosts of Round the Twist (for example) thanks kindly.

[John the Baptist]

The lighthouse keeper comes across as something of a God figure, casting a light through life's darkness. He guides others through difficulties, ever listening to the sea.

[Red Brick Keshner]

I am loving this perspective John, like a voice from the wilderness- let those with eyes, see!

[MCS]

I enjoy your writings about the sea; however it just makes me long for the scent of salt that much more.

Thank you for this.

[andrew mitchell]

The whole lighthouse thing and the town close by reminds me of the movie The Fog based on a book by James Herbert. There’s always some mystery and many a tale to be told. Another fine write Red.

[Red Brick Keshner]

Aye, that is so! Thanks for your visit Andrew, good to ‘see’ you before work starts up again in earnest… or has it already?

[andrew mitchell]

It has started already 5 long nights last week.

[carl]

he listens to the sea
its endless whispering of secrets
a timeless conversation with the shore

great lines - never thought about the sea and the shore in a conversation - lovely analogy - I'm also sure that the keeper listens to a great many things the sea has to tell - perhaps that is the solace to such an envisioned lonely life. - I can never read anything about lighthouses without thinking of the Bradbury story The Fog Horn. No reference here to your work just I am such a Bradbury fan that he often invades my thoughts - glad I came by to read your work -carl

[Red Brick Keshner]

Bradbury! What a guy! One of the first to intermediate to sci-fi… I guess because I let him for the reason that I have a couple of Uncle Ray’s in the family tree. Thanks for stopping by, Carl. I’m glad you came to visit. It’s been too long.
Freds.

[Chris Shaw]

I wouldn’t want to be a lighthouse keeper in the middle of a ferocious storm and yet that is when he is needed most, to keep that beacon of light going in all weathers. A life saver. A loner whose love is the sea, accepting all her moods. Beautiful imagery Freds.

Chris

[Red Brick Keshner]

Aye, Chris; with that I agree! But there is something romantic and beckoning about the whole lighthouse scene and ethos. Something deep that over the years I haven’t yet fully dredged up. Thanks as always for stopping by and sharing your much appreciated thoughts.
Freds.

[LisaCarol]

Wonderful imagery in this piece. I also read “Reflection by the Sea”. The latter didn’t give the option to review, I loved that one as well. Thank you for sharing your writing and please share more.

[Red Brick Keshner]

Thanks kindly, LisaCarol. I did go and check on the settings on “reflection…” it should be okay now. Thanks for the heads up. 🙏🏻🕊👍🏻