Turbulence in Leland

 Turbulence in Leland

 

The waves shook, an earthquake as the boat departed,

The morning sun cold like the deepening currents.

I could still taste the stale coffee, felt my knees shaking as I saw the land

Shrinking while the beat of the hull cut waves as we made our way.

Once familiar shapes speckled the abandoned horizon.

Leland’s famous fish market now a dwindling structure,

The employees no longer visible to the naked eye.

Seeking the Manitou Islands, Captain Scott Anderson pushed the throttle,

The early July sun piercing his eyes, shoddy downriggers awaited employment.

I smelt the freezing water as it splashed my unexpecting eyes,

Boiling waves clouded the horizon.

The ceaseless tremors of anticipation itching up my spine.

I smelt the salmon roasting on the grill hours later.

Shielded rods shook in the chilling wind,

Alongside the captain, Andrew searched the horizon.