Democracy In The Storm
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As the storm buffeted the ship with its raw ferocity, the crew struggled against the intense pitching and yawing of the seemingly hapless vessel. First being shoved to port by the overwhelming power of the waves that threatened to crush the ship against the rocky shoreline, then yanked back to starboard by the savage winds that fed the fury of the storm.
Lightening bolts were striking all around the vessel and streaking through the night sky as the commander yelled orders to his courageous crew; who fought for their very lives while the storm brutally attempted to capsize their ship. His voice was as small as a child’s whisper compared to the shrieking of the violent wind and the thundering of the waves and lightening, barely audible as he called out to his helmsman to keep the the proud ship on course through the narrowing channel.
The ship rose and angled upward, leaning to port as the twisting of the motion caused the entire structure of the wooden ship to groan in agony like the death cries of a tortured beast. The mainmast giving way under the stress as the valiant ship crashed back down violently into the shallow of the tremendous wave it had been attempting to conquer.
The commander was subdued and thrown against the railing as a wall of sea water slammed across the deck. He clung to the railing as the violence of nature tugged at his frail human form. Moment by moment his death seemed more imminent as he cried out in terror and resisted the turbulent sea which tried to claim him.
While he fought to keep from being thrown overboard he looked up and his eyes suddenly focused on the silver plaque that bore the name of his proud vessel, his mind swam with images of its inception, the boldness of its mission, and the noble journey on which she sailed. He remembered the hope and determination that his ship and crew bestowed upon the bleak lives of the oppressed masses known as humankind.
With an unknown strength from deep within himself he grasped at a stray rope from the sails which had become entangled with the debris of his mighty ship. Ignoring the pain and the surrounding maelstrom, he pulled his battered body back toward the wheel and refused to let the storm end the journey toward freedom and democracy. All the while a part of his mind remained transfixed on the name on the placard, the vision of it as it was silhouetted by the lightening etched in his memory…. her name was Democray…. and she must prevail.
October 23rd, 2009 at 8:30 pm
I love this article. You are a wonderful writer.