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Description
Parting

The church bell tolls in a quiet village off the coast during a drizzly afternoon. It was here a gathering of black vested mourners assembled, twenty in all around a fresh grave. The men dressed in their top hats and knee draped frocks and thick overcoats, while the women were veiled in nightshade dresses. They watched as a lonely coffin was carried by six pallbearers to the pit of eternal rest.
Two gravediggers at the sight watched from a distance, one drinking a bottle of whiskey clutched in his hand. The other smoked a pipe that was held tight between his teeth. Being gravediggers, mournful sights were not all that shocking, thus explained their lack of ceremony. But the piper only shook his head.
“That poor girl.” He uttered, “To think that she would lose her life as such a tender age. She wasn’t even passed her sixteenth year.”
“Do you know what she died of?” the second gravedigger asked.
“She died of a broken heart.”-
“A broken heart…” But the boozer only scoffed the piper’s words. “How on earth could one die of a broken heart? One can only die from some sort of ailment, or bodily injury.”
“Dying of a broken heart can cause death. It is what can lead to bodily harm and ailment.” The piper puffed a ring of smoke. “To think that the young woman we bury today was that same young lady who was considered to be the prettiest and friendliest in town. I can remember it well.”

The day was bright with seldom few clouds. The coastal town was bustling with activity. It was a quaint little settlement where many a brave seaman would pass and take shelter after long and tiresome voyages at sea. The docks were filled with mighty wooden hulls of many a great ship. The crews on board were busy in activity, cleaning their vessels, testing their longboats, or loading and unloading cargo.
Just outside the town were vast green fields where flowers were in bloom and sparrows twittered about in love’s song. It was here, under a cherry blossom tree, two young people sat side by side.
The first was a young man, youthful and beautiful in appearance. No older than eighteen, he had a dashing smile. His light brown hair had a will of its own as the bangs over his blue eyes seemed to go in every direction. He was lean in physique and as handsome a boy as any around. His commoner’s clothing showed he was of humble background, a young harpooner one might say, but pure hearted in his thoughts. Next to him was the girl he adored. The young woman was just as fair and innocent, no older than her lover. Her skin was pale and untainted. Her golden locks reflecting the sun’s rays. Her eyes were an emerald green that could charm the heart of any young suitor. Her fair blazon was draped in a little cotton dress with decorative frills upon the shoulders. Many a young man flocked to court her, and she adored them all, but it was the fair sailor boy who won her heart. He may not have been well learned, but he was kind and generous, bearing a trait rarely seen in well to do gents.
They sat in the field reading a book of poetry, reciting passages of undying love inscribed by famous writers. The young woman looked into the blue sky and sighed.
“How long has it been since we first met?” she asked.
“It’s been almost a year.” The young man replied.
“I remember that day, can you?”-
“Indeed I do. It was around this season on a day like this. I arrived on the dock after two years at sea.” The boy raised his hands and looked at his palms. There were giant scars streaked across them both. They were scars made by deep rope burns that tore away at his flesh when touching a speeding rope let loose after he had thrust his harpoon into the back of his first whale. They were a reminder of a hard leaned lesson that branded him to manhood. “After receiving these scars, I was no longer a boy. But despite the sea changing me to a man, I still have that child like playfulness, at the same time gaining a man’s sense of duty.”

The youth stepped onto the gangplank and descended from the deck of the ship. He counted away his pay, which was greater than the sum given to most sailors, being a harpooner and all. In the time he had been sailing as a whaler at fourteen, he had struck and killed seven whales. And these beasts were not foes to easily topple. After counting his last penny, he shoved his earnings into his pocket. As he walked down the dock, he watched another ship’s crew roll a large barrel of apples up the gangplank.
“That ship must be on a tight schedule.” The youth thought to himself, “They’re trying to push that oversized barrel up the gangplank.”
At the same time, the young lady, still a girl back then was distributing bibles to the crew men of different ships. She wore a yellow dress, which stuck out amidst other not so glamorous hues. Thus many of the sailors went around calling her Sunshine Girl, matching the dress she wore and the smile on her face.
“Bibles, bibles,” she said, “Please take a bible and God go with you on your journey.” Her soft voice caught the youth’s attention. He turned to find her in that bright yellow dress. She seemed an angel to him. His eye caught the intensity of her dress rather than the figure of her posture. Though she turned towards the youth, because of his common garments, she seldom noticed him. But fate would force her to realize his presence.
There was a sudden cause of commotion. The boy turned his attention towards the sailors who were sill pushing the large apple barrel up the gangplank. One of the sailors had slipped and fallen off the gangplank and atop some stacked cargo. The remaining sailors, not able to hold the barrel’s weight, quickly jumped out of the way. The barrel went tumbling down the gangplank at ramming speed. The youth saw the danger and realized that the girl was in the barrel’s path.
“Watch out!” he cried. The girl turned to find this massive projectile tumbling towards her. Too petrified to react, she stood like a statue, watching the barrel draw nearer and nearer. Time seemed to slow down as the girl’s demise was eminent. Her life flashed before her eyes. But at the last moment, the youth sprung forward and tightly wrapped his arms around her, then jumped out of the way just as the barrel rolled by. The barrel slammed into a ship on the opposite side of the dock and exploded like a cannon shell. Apples flew about and the impact caused the targeted ship to rock violently, breaking several planks in the process. No one was hurt, but everyone was stunned.
“What happened?” the captain of the ship that was struck shouted.
“It was a loose barrel, captain!” one of his mates replied.
“Is everyone alright?!” a sailor from the opposing ship asked. “Is anyone hurt?!”
“That young girl would have been crushed beneath that barrel.” Another sailor added. “Thank God that strapping young lad was there to save her.”
“Good work, lad!” a seaman from the boy’s whaling ship shouted.
The young girl slowly opened her eyes. She looked about and saw the impact of the barrel, apples strew about the dock. The barrel itself was reduced to splintered planks, metal support rings, and busted nails. The crews from the two opposing ships came onto the docks and began to clean up the mess.
“Are you alright, Miss?” the youth asked. His voice was so kind that the girl immediately looked into his eyes. It was at that moment she saw something. There was something that this lad had that many young men she knew did not. Though still young, there was this maturity about him. Unlike most seamen who reeked from their trade, this youth accumulated a scent the young girl found sweet and soothing. The boy released her.
“What happened?” she asked, looking that wreckage.
“You were nearly crushed by that barrel.” The young harpooner replied. “It’s a good thing I was around. Otherwise, I might have been fetching for the mortician.”
“Uh…thank you…” the girl began to blush. She then turned to her basket of bibles, which lay on the dock, and began to pick them up. The youth, seeing it his duty to aid her, squatted down and picked up the bibles as well.
“Let me help you with that, Miss.” He said.
“No, no,” she replied. “You don’t have to do this.”
“I insist.” He placed the bibles in the basket.
“Thank you, good sir. I’m sorry that I have to be such a bother to you.”-
“It’s my pleasure to help you.” The young girl looked at this fair sailor boy in awe. He was definitely different. Though being a harpooner, he had gentlemen manners, a quality not found in the most attractive and distinguished young men of her status. There was a divine spark that won the girl’s heart almost instantly.

A year passed and the young man was integrated into the girl’s household as an adopted son. The girl’s father, being a former seaman himself, knew that such qualities amongst sailors were rare. Despite a harpooner’s living, he was no ruffian and indeed no foolish laggard. He always put himself last and that everyone else’s well being came first. So for the full year he was stationed in the town, he was sheltered by the girl’s family. He earned a reputation amidst the populous as being extremely honest.
“It’s been a year since that day.” The young girl said.
“It certainly has been.” The young man smiled at her and she returned the gesture. But his smile didn’t last. He sighed and turned away. The girl was curious. She never saw him act in such a way unless he was burdened with something on his mind.
“What’s wrong?’ she asked.
“I have some bad news.” The youth replied. “That’s why I asked for you to spend the day with me.”
“What is it?”-
“I’ve received word from the captain that we’re heading out tomorrow.”-
“What…?” the maiden was shocked.
“It’s been a year since we took port and my earnings are almost gone. A full year is too long a time for a whaling ship to be ported. But I believe it was worth it.” The youth looked at the maiden. “When I go out to see, will you wait for me?”
“Of course I will.” The young girl nudged him. The youth turned towards her and lay his chin atop her golden locks. The two embraced and gazed upon each other’s fair eyes.
“I know that this is too bold of me to ask.” The young man uttered. “But may I kiss you?” The girl was speechless. This was the first time he ever asked such a question.
“Well I…” the girl shuttered and turned away, but was drawn again to his deep blue eyes. Their lips slowly neared, hesitant at first, but continued to advance. Then suddenly, as if magic was unleashed, their lips touched. Again and again their lips embraced. The feeling was sensational and the two lovers let go. The youth lay his maiden on her back and kissed even deeper. He placed his hand on her cheek. His eyes closed to enhance the sensation of the girl’s lips on his. The maiden did the same, sweeping her hand from his cheek, down his neck, to his shoulder. They parted lips and looked on in young love.
“Will you promise to wait for me?” the youth asked.
“I promise to always wait for you.” The girl replied. “I’ll see you off tomorrow then.”
“I’d appreciate it. I’ll wait for you.”-
“Yes…”-
The day came sooner than anticipated and the young maid readied herself to see her fair harpooner off. She dressed up warmly and made her way to the docks alone, since it was far too early for the citizens to be about. She rushed to the pier where her young lover waited. The day was different from other days though. Dark clouds plumed in the distance, indicating a possible raging storm. The wind was rather strong. When approaching the ship, the girl saw the crew stocking the hull with provisions while others bid their families and friends farewell. The maiden looked about for her lover amidst the many faces of seaman at port. Sure enough, she found him standing at the pier’s edge. He wore a thick overcoat, which was a present from his host family.
“You made it.” He said.
“The wind’s picked up.” The girl replied.
“I know.”-
“But that means a storm is coming.”-
“I know.”-
“But won’t there be treacherous waters?”-
“Without a doubt,” the youth said.
“But aren’t you worried?” the girl uttered, fearing for his life.
“I am worried, but the captain’s orders are final. We sail within the hour, just ahead of the storm.” He turned to see the young maiden’s eyes looking down, as if saddened. He knew she feared for him, but he knew his duty. He placed his hand on her shoulder, causing the maid to look up at him. He smiled. “There’s no need to worry.”
“But what if you don’t return? I have this feeling that I’ll never see you again.”-
“I’ll be alright.” The youth embraced her. “Once I’ve earned a fair bounty from this voyage’s spoils, I’ll ask for an honorable discharge. Then you won’t have to worry about me going off again. I can always take up some other profession. I’m still young after all. And your father had taught me well in other trades and lessons. Therefore, I can start to make a real living.” He gazed into her eyes. “All you have to do is be sure to wish me a safe journey home.”
“I will.” Just then, the boson whistle blew, signaling all hands to come aboard.
“I have to go, Miss.” The youth said. He placed his finger under his chin and gently kissed her, then gave a final smile before turning away. The maiden watched as he stepped on board the vessel. But in this last visage, she felt that something was wrong, as if tragedy would break them apart. She raised her hand and waved him farewell.
“I’ll be waiting for you!”-
The gangplank was dropped, the anchor was raised, and the ship began to pull itself out of the harbor. A shanty was sung, which the maiden listened carefully to, hoping to hear her lover’s voice. The singing grew fainter as the ship drew further out to sea. The topsails were dropped and the ship began its long voyage in search of whales.
“I will wait for you.” She said. “I will wait for your return. And when you do, I will embrace you tightly.” Thus, as the ship specked into the distance, the maid turned and went home.

A white robed priest came to the coffin and held before him a bible. He sprinkled ash over the casket and recited the final rights over the casket.
“Ashes to ashes,” he said, “Dust to dust.”
“The final rights of burial.” The piping gravedigger uttered, taking another puff before taking his hat off out of respect. “I never thought it would happen to that fair maiden.”
“So as you were saying?” the drinking gravedigger asked, placing his bottle down. “Once the ship departed, then what happened?”
“From what I understand, the day after departure, a tempest hit the coast. This was no more than six months ago. When the storm subsided, the young maiden did not let up her vigilance. She kept to her faith that her love would return, but there was this burning sensation deep within her, this doubt, this fear that he may never return again.”

It had not been a week since her lover’s ship departed. But since the eruption of that terrible maelstrom two days before, her thoughts turned to the safety of the harpooner. Every morning, she would look to the sea and prayed for him to come back. On this particular morning, however, which was cold and drizzly, something caused the girl to turn her attention away from the pier.
“I must keep faith.” She said to herself. “I’ll see him again.” She forced herself not to worry and walked towards the beach to help her relax. “I won’t worry. I’ll see you again my beloved.”
She walked at least for at least half a mile or so down the beach. The sand was course ad bulky, with lose pebbles sifting about. The waves crashed on the beachhead, giving a mellow roar as the water rushed inland before receding again, giving way to another wave. She took time to rearrange her thoughts and what she would do over the course of the next year. She then began to reminisce about her first kiss and the tenderness of her youth’s lips. She recalled the softness of his skin, the silk of his hair, and especially those beautiful blue eyes.
As she continued her stroll, she noticed something in the distance lying on the beach. From far away, it looked like an elongated object, beached upon the shore. At first the maiden ignored it. But as she drew closer, the object seemed to move from the crashing waves. It was not a log because its movements seemed not that of wood. It was soft and smooth in texture and not at all stiff. The girl was curious now and drew ever nearer.
“What on earth is that thing?” she wondered. “Is it some sort of sea creature beached on the shore?” As she began to recognize distinct features on the object, it came to be that she did not look upon a log, or a fish, and any aquatic animal, but rather the body of a man, a sailor to be precise. She distinguished a head, two arms and legs, and the ragged clothes of a seaman. The girl did not cry for help because her curious wonder ousted her fright. She never saw a dead body before, save those taken in by the mortician. The dead man was untouched and unmolested, as a distorted form upon a battlefield. The corpse was rolled on its side with his left forearm thrown backwards, stretched behind him. The palm of his hand was open and his fingers were curled, pale and bloated.
The maiden was almost on top of the corpse, when something suddenly caught her eye. She happened to look at the dead man’s left hand. Immediately, she reacted with shock and fear. On his hand, a scar was streaked across his palm, as if flesh had been ripped away. The girl remembered seeing an identical scar on the hand of her lover. Her fears mounted, but she tried to persuade herself that such a marking must be common amongst many sailors. Her lover had marks on both hands. She gazed over at the body’s right hand. And again her heart pounded profusely. She saw the same type of scar on the right palm. Her breathing increased and her body began to lose strength, making her legs feel numb.
“It can’t be…” she uttered. She gazed at the body’s wet hair. It was light brown as her lover’s was. She didn’t believe it. With all her courage, she turned the dead sailor on his back. What happened next, only a truly gifted poet could describe. The made screamed out in utter horror, not from the body, but who it once belonged to. The dead sailor was indeed her beloved harpooner. She screamed and cried, tears falling from her eyes. She fell to her knees soiling her dress, but her garment’s appearance no longer concerned her. She looked at the young man’s face. His far skin was still that pale color, but with a hint of grey and blue now. He still portrayed that youthful expression, but his hands were as cold as ice. His lips were now a bizarre hue of blue indicating that he had drowned. His eyes were closed shut, so she could not gaze upon their cyan innocence. The girl took the lad in her arms and cradled his lifeless body as if it were a new born infant. She wished it to be a dream or some conjure and the youth would wake up as if from gentle sleep. But he did not wake. She kissed the youth again and again, tears falling from her eyes and landing upon the boy.
Her cries and screams were heard by several townsfolk, who came rushing to the scene. There they saw that ghastly sight of the maiden caressing her drowned lover. She looked to the townspeople and revealed the young harpooner’s face.
“This is my lover!” she cried. “This is my lad, the lad I adored!”
That same day, the youth’s ship pulled into port. Its sails were torn and the main mass nearly collapsed. Thus, it had to turn back and make repairs. It had hit the front of the storm and was damaged severely. The captain and crew said that the youth, in his strong sense of duty, climbed the main mass to restore a piece of the mainsail that had been knocked free. He climbed and set the sail back in its place. But when climbing down, the main mass collapsed and knocked the youth into the sea. He was never retrieved, but somehow his body managed to find its way back to his lover.
The boy’s body was laid to rest in the churchyard where many townsfolk and fellow crewmen attended his funeral. They watched as his body was lowered into the ground. His death had a profound impact on the young maiden, who never recovered after that. The thoughts of his passing tore her apart. His death had broken her heart, completely transforming her. She was no longer happy and cheerful as she was before. Her fair skin turned pale, her eyes developed deep, darkened bags and she grew thin and sickly. Her family could do nothing to change her mind. No matter how much they tried, her sorrows would not leave her. The maiden’s mind always turned to her deceased lover. As a result, she withered away. She lost all will to live and lingered about in that state of suffering before she herself succumbed to her ailments, a victim of her own sorrow.

Her coffin was slowly lowered into the grave. Flowers were tossed upon her descending casket. Each person gave their condolences to the family before departing from the churchyard altogether. The church bell began to toll solemnly again. The rain eventually resided and only moisture was left to linger. The clouds parted a little, giving way for rays of sunlight to peek through. Eventually all, even the girl’s family, departed from the sight, leaving the gravediggers to finish their job and fill the hole.
“Do you find it tragic?” the whiskey grave digger asked. “To be that fair maiden and find your lover drowned on the beach?”
“On the contrary,” the piping gravedigger replied, “I find it to be a happy ending.”
“And why do you say that?”-
“Because now, both of them can rest in peace together for all time.” He pointed out the grave next to the girl’s. It was the headstone of the brace harpooner who saver her life and won her heart. “Wherever they are now, I sure hope that they are happy.”
The gravediggers continued their work, no further discussions were made.

Description
Parting

The church bell tolls in a quiet village off the coast during a drizzly afternoon. It was here a gathering of black vested mourners assembled, twenty in all around a fresh grave. The men dressed in their top hats and knee draped frocks and thick overcoats, while the women were veiled in nightshade dresses. They watched as a lonely coffin was carried by six pallbearers to the pit of eternal rest.
Two gravediggers at the sight watched from a distance, one drinking a bottle of whiskey clutched in his hand. The other smoked a pipe that was held tight between his teeth. Being gravediggers, mournful sights were not all that shocking, thus explained their lack of ceremony. But the piper only shook his head.
“That poor girl.” He uttered, “To think that she would lose her life as such a tender age. She wasn’t even passed her sixteenth year.”
“Do you know what she died of?” the second gravedigger asked.
“She died of a broken heart.”-
“A broken heart…” But the boozer only scoffed the piper’s words. “How on earth could one die of a broken heart? One can only die from some sort of ailment, or bodily injury.”
“Dying of a broken heart can cause death. It is what can lead to bodily harm and ailment.” The piper puffed a ring of smoke. “To think that the young woman we bury today was that same young lady who was considered to be the prettiest and friendliest in town. I can remember it well.”

The day was bright with seldom few clouds. The coastal town was bustling with activity. It was a quaint little settlement where many a brave seaman would pass and take shelter after long and tiresome voyages at sea. The docks were filled with mighty wooden hulls of many a great ship. The crews on board were busy in activity, cleaning their vessels, testing their longboats, or loading and unloading cargo.
Just outside the town were vast green fields where flowers were in bloom and sparrows twittered about in love’s song. It was here, under a cherry blossom tree, two young people sat side by side.
The first was a young man, youthful and beautiful in appearance. No older than eighteen, he had a dashing smile. His light brown hair had a will of its own as the bangs over his blue eyes seemed to go in every direction. He was lean in physique and as handsome a boy as any around. His commoner’s clothing showed he was of humble background, a young harpooner one might say, but pure hearted in his thoughts. Next to him was the girl he adored. The young woman was just as fair and innocent, no older than her lover. Her skin was pale and untainted. Her golden locks reflecting the sun’s rays. Her eyes were an emerald green that could charm the heart of any young suitor. Her fair blazon was draped in a little cotton dress with decorative frills upon the shoulders. Many a young man flocked to court her, and she adored them all, but it was the fair sailor boy who won her heart. He may not have been well learned, but he was kind and generous, bearing a trait rarely seen in well to do gents.
They sat in the field reading a book of poetry, reciting passages of undying love inscribed by famous writers. The young woman looked into the blue sky and sighed.
“How long has it been since we first met?” she asked.
“It’s been almost a year.” The young man replied.
“I remember that day, can you?”-
“Indeed I do. It was around this season on a day like this. I arrived on the dock after two years at sea.” The boy raised his hands and looked at his palms. There were giant scars streaked across them both. They were scars made by deep rope burns that tore away at his flesh when touching a speeding rope let loose after he had thrust his harpoon into the back of his first whale. They were a reminder of a hard leaned lesson that branded him to manhood. “After receiving these scars, I was no longer a boy. But despite the sea changing me to a man, I still have that child like playfulness, at the same time gaining a man’s sense of duty.”

The youth stepped onto the gangplank and descended from the deck of the ship. He counted away his pay, which was greater than the sum given to most sailors, being a harpooner and all. In the time he had been sailing as a whaler at fourteen, he had struck and killed seven whales. And these beasts were not foes to easily topple. After counting his last penny, he shoved his earnings into his pocket. As he walked down the dock, he watched another ship’s crew roll a large barrel of apples up the gangplank.
“That ship must be on a tight schedule.” The youth thought to himself, “They’re trying to push that oversized barrel up the gangplank.”
At the same time, the young lady, still a girl back then was distributing bibles to the crew men of different ships. She wore a yellow dress, which stuck out amidst other not so glamorous hues. Thus many of the sailors went around calling her Sunshine Girl, matching the dress she wore and the smile on her face.
“Bibles, bibles,” she said, “Please take a bible and God go with you on your journey.” Her soft voice caught the youth’s attention. He turned to find her in that bright yellow dress. She seemed an angel to him. His eye caught the intensity of her dress rather than the figure of her posture. Though she turned towards the youth, because of his common garments, she seldom noticed him. But fate would force her to realize his presence.
There was a sudden cause of commotion. The boy turned his attention towards the sailors who were sill pushing the large apple barrel up the gangplank. One of the sailors had slipped and fallen off the gangplank and atop some stacked cargo. The remaining sailors, not able to hold the barrel’s weight, quickly jumped out of the way. The barrel went tumbling down the gangplank at ramming speed. The youth saw the danger and realized that the girl was in the barrel’s path.
“Watch out!” he cried. The girl turned to find this massive projectile tumbling towards her. Too petrified to react, she stood like a statue, watching the barrel draw nearer and nearer. Time seemed to slow down as the girl’s demise was eminent. Her life flashed before her eyes. But at the last moment, the youth sprung forward and tightly wrapped his arms around her, then jumped out of the way just as the barrel rolled by. The barrel slammed into a ship on the opposite side of the dock and exploded like a cannon shell. Apples flew about and the impact caused the targeted ship to rock violently, breaking several planks in the process. No one was hurt, but everyone was stunned.
“What happened?” the captain of the ship that was struck shouted.
“It was a loose barrel, captain!” one of his mates replied.
“Is everyone alright?!” a sailor from the opposing ship asked. “Is anyone hurt?!”
“That young girl would have been crushed beneath that barrel.” Another sailor added. “Thank God that strapping young lad was there to save her.”
“Good work, lad!” a seaman from the boy’s whaling ship shouted.
The young girl slowly opened her eyes. She looked about and saw the impact of the barrel, apples strew about the dock. The barrel itself was reduced to splintered planks, metal support rings, and busted nails. The crews from the two opposing ships came onto the docks and began to clean up the mess.
“Are you alright, Miss?” the youth asked. His voice was so kind that the girl immediately looked into his eyes. It was at that moment she saw something. There was something that this lad had that many young men she knew did not. Though still young, there was this maturity about him. Unlike most seamen who reeked from their trade, this youth accumulated a scent the young girl found sweet and soothing. The boy released her.
“What happened?” she asked, looking that wreckage.
“You were nearly crushed by that barrel.” The young harpooner replied. “It’s a good thing I was around. Otherwise, I might have been fetching for the mortician.”
“Uh…thank you…” the girl began to blush. She then turned to her basket of bibles, which lay on the dock, and began to pick them up. The youth, seeing it his duty to aid her, squatted down and picked up the bibles as well.
“Let me help you with that, Miss.” He said.
“No, no,” she replied. “You don’t have to do this.”
“I insist.” He placed the bibles in the basket.
“Thank you, good sir. I’m sorry that I have to be such a bother to you.”-
“It’s my pleasure to help you.” The young girl looked at this fair sailor boy in awe. He was definitely different. Though being a harpooner, he had gentlemen manners, a quality not found in the most attractive and distinguished young men of her status. There was a divine spark that won the girl’s heart almost instantly.

A year passed and the young man was integrated into the girl’s household as an adopted son. The girl’s father, being a former seaman himself, knew that such qualities amongst sailors were rare. Despite a harpooner’s living, he was no ruffian and indeed no foolish laggard. He always put himself last and that everyone else’s well being came first. So for the full year he was stationed in the town, he was sheltered by the girl’s family. He earned a reputation amidst the populous as being extremely honest.
“It’s been a year since that day.” The young girl said.
“It certainly has been.” The young man smiled at her and she returned the gesture. But his smile didn’t last. He sighed and turned away. The girl was curious. She never saw him act in such a way unless he was burdened with something on his mind.
“What’s wrong?’ she asked.
“I have some bad news.” The youth replied. “That’s why I asked for you to spend the day with me.”
“What is it?”-
“I’ve received word from the captain that we’re heading out tomorrow.”-
“What…?” the maiden was shocked.
“It’s been a year since we took port and my earnings are almost gone. A full year is too long a time for a whaling ship to be ported. But I believe it was worth it.” The youth looked at the maiden. “When I go out to see, will you wait for me?”
“Of course I will.” The young girl nudged him. The youth turned towards her and lay his chin atop her golden locks. The two embraced and gazed upon each other’s fair eyes.
“I know that this is too bold of me to ask.” The young man uttered. “But may I kiss you?” The girl was speechless. This was the first time he ever asked such a question.
“Well I…” the girl shuttered and turned away, but was drawn again to his deep blue eyes. Their lips slowly neared, hesitant at first, but continued to advance. Then suddenly, as if magic was unleashed, their lips touched. Again and again their lips embraced. The feeling was sensational and the two lovers let go. The youth lay his maiden on her back and kissed even deeper. He placed his hand on her cheek. His eyes closed to enhance the sensation of the girl’s lips on his. The maiden did the same, sweeping her hand from his cheek, down his neck, to his shoulder. They parted lips and looked on in young love.
“Will you promise to wait for me?” the youth asked.
“I promise to always wait for you.” The girl replied. “I’ll see you off tomorrow then.”
“I’d appreciate it. I’ll wait for you.”-
“Yes…”-
The day came sooner than anticipated and the young maid readied herself to see her fair harpooner off. She dressed up warmly and made her way to the docks alone, since it was far too early for the citizens to be about. She rushed to the pier where her young lover waited. The day was different from other days though. Dark clouds plumed in the distance, indicating a possible raging storm. The wind was rather strong. When approaching the ship, the girl saw the crew stocking the hull with provisions while others bid their families and friends farewell. The maiden looked about for her lover amidst the many faces of seaman at port. Sure enough, she found him standing at the pier’s edge. He wore a thick overcoat, which was a present from his host family.
“You made it.” He said.
“The wind’s picked up.” The girl replied.
“I know.”-
“But that means a storm is coming.”-
“I know.”-
“But won’t there be treacherous waters?”-
“Without a doubt,” the youth said.
“But aren’t you worried?” the girl uttered, fearing for his life.
“I am worried, but the captain’s orders are final. We sail within the hour, just ahead of the storm.” He turned to see the young maiden’s eyes looking down, as if saddened. He knew she feared for him, but he knew his duty. He placed his hand on her shoulder, causing the maid to look up at him. He smiled. “There’s no need to worry.”
“But what if you don’t return? I have this feeling that I’ll never see you again.”-
“I’ll be alright.” The youth embraced her. “Once I’ve earned a fair bounty from this voyage’s spoils, I’ll ask for an honorable discharge. Then you won’t have to worry about me going off again. I can always take up some other profession. I’m still young after all. And your father had taught me well in other trades and lessons. Therefore, I can start to make a real living.” He gazed into her eyes. “All you have to do is be sure to wish me a safe journey home.”
“I will.” Just then, the boson whistle blew, signaling all hands to come aboard.
“I have to go, Miss.” The youth said. He placed his finger under his chin and gently kissed her, then gave a final smile before turning away. The maiden watched as he stepped on board the vessel. But in this last visage, she felt that something was wrong, as if tragedy would break them apart. She raised her hand and waved him farewell.
“I’ll be waiting for you!”-
The gangplank was dropped, the anchor was raised, and the ship began to pull itself out of the harbor. A shanty was sung, which the maiden listened carefully to, hoping to hear her lover’s voice. The singing grew fainter as the ship drew further out to sea. The topsails were dropped and the ship began its long voyage in search of whales.
“I will wait for you.” She said. “I will wait for your return. And when you do, I will embrace you tightly.” Thus, as the ship specked into the distance, the maid turned and went home.

A white robed priest came to the coffin and held before him a bible. He sprinkled ash over the casket and recited the final rights over the casket.
“Ashes to ashes,” he said, “Dust to dust.”
“The final rights of burial.” The piping gravedigger uttered, taking another puff before taking his hat off out of respect. “I never thought it would happen to that fair maiden.”
“So as you were saying?” the drinking gravedigger asked, placing his bottle down. “Once the ship departed, then what happened?”
“From what I understand, the day after departure, a tempest hit the coast. This was no more than six months ago. When the storm subsided, the young maiden did not let up her vigilance. She kept to her faith that her love would return, but there was this burning sensation deep within her, this doubt, this fear that he may never return again.”

It had not been a week since her lover’s ship departed. But since the eruption of that terrible maelstrom two days before, her thoughts turned to the safety of the harpooner. Every morning, she would look to the sea and prayed for him to come back. On this particular morning, however, which was cold and drizzly, something caused the girl to turn her attention away from the pier.
“I must keep faith.” She said to herself. “I’ll see him again.” She forced herself not to worry and walked towards the beach to help her relax. “I won’t worry. I’ll see you again my beloved.”
She walked at least for at least half a mile or so down the beach. The sand was course ad bulky, with lose pebbles sifting about. The waves crashed on the beachhead, giving a mellow roar as the water rushed inland before receding again, giving way to another wave. She took time to rearrange her thoughts and what she would do over the course of the next year. She then began to reminisce about her first kiss and the tenderness of her youth’s lips. She recalled the softness of his skin, the silk of his hair, and especially those beautiful blue eyes.
As she continued her stroll, she noticed something in the distance lying on the beach. From far away, it looked like an elongated object, beached upon the shore. At first the maiden ignored it. But as she drew closer, the object seemed to move from the crashing waves. It was not a log because its movements seemed not that of wood. It was soft and smooth in texture and not at all stiff. The girl was curious now and drew ever nearer.
“What on earth is that thing?” she wondered. “Is it some sort of sea creature beached on the shore?” As she began to recognize distinct features on the object, it came to be that she did not look upon a log, or a fish, and any aquatic animal, but rather the body of a man, a sailor to be precise. She distinguished a head, two arms and legs, and the ragged clothes of a seaman. The girl did not cry for help because her curious wonder ousted her fright. She never saw a dead body before, save those taken in by the mortician. The dead man was untouched and unmolested, as a distorted form upon a battlefield. The corpse was rolled on its side with his left forearm thrown backwards, stretched behind him. The palm of his hand was open and his fingers were curled, pale and bloated.
The maiden was almost on top of the corpse, when something suddenly caught her eye. She happened to look at the dead man’s left hand. Immediately, she reacted with shock and fear. On his hand, a scar was streaked across his palm, as if flesh had been ripped away. The girl remembered seeing an identical scar on the hand of her lover. Her fears mounted, but she tried to persuade herself that such a marking must be common amongst many sailors. Her lover had marks on both hands. She gazed over at the body’s right hand. And again her heart pounded profusely. She saw the same type of scar on the right palm. Her breathing increased and her body began to lose strength, making her legs feel numb.
“It can’t be…” she uttered. She gazed at the body’s wet hair. It was light brown as her lover’s was. She didn’t believe it. With all her courage, she turned the dead sailor on his back. What happened next, only a truly gifted poet could describe. The made screamed out in utter horror, not from the body, but who it once belonged to. The dead sailor was indeed her beloved harpooner. She screamed and cried, tears falling from her eyes. She fell to her knees soiling her dress, but her garment’s appearance no longer concerned her. She looked at the young man’s face. His far skin was still that pale color, but with a hint of grey and blue now. He still portrayed that youthful expression, but his hands were as cold as ice. His lips were now a bizarre hue of blue indicating that he had drowned. His eyes were closed shut, so she could not gaze upon their cyan innocence. The girl took the lad in her arms and cradled his lifeless body as if it were a new born infant. She wished it to be a dream or some conjure and the youth would wake up as if from gentle sleep. But he did not wake. She kissed the youth again and again, tears falling from her eyes and landing upon the boy.
Her cries and screams were heard by several townsfolk, who came rushing to the scene. There they saw that ghastly sight of the maiden caressing her drowned lover. She looked to the townspeople and revealed the young harpooner’s face.
“This is my lover!” she cried. “This is my lad, the lad I adored!”
That same day, the youth’s ship pulled into port. Its sails were torn and the main mass nearly collapsed. Thus, it had to turn back and make repairs. It had hit the front of the storm and was damaged severely. The captain and crew said that the youth, in his strong sense of duty, climbed the main mass to restore a piece of the mainsail that had been knocked free. He climbed and set the sail back in its place. But when climbing down, the main mass collapsed and knocked the youth into the sea. He was never retrieved, but somehow his body managed to find its way back to his lover.
The boy’s body was laid to rest in the churchyard where many townsfolk and fellow crewmen attended his funeral. They watched as his body was lowered into the ground. His death had a profound impact on the young maiden, who never recovered after that. The thoughts of his passing tore her apart. His death had broken her heart, completely transforming her. She was no longer happy and cheerful as she was before. Her fair skin turned pale, her eyes developed deep, darkened bags and she grew thin and sickly. Her family could do nothing to change her mind. No matter how much they tried, her sorrows would not leave her. The maiden’s mind always turned to her deceased lover. As a result, she withered away. She lost all will to live and lingered about in that state of suffering before she herself succumbed to her ailments, a victim of her own sorrow.

Her coffin was slowly lowered into the grave. Flowers were tossed upon her descending casket. Each person gave their condolences to the family before departing from the churchyard altogether. The church bell began to toll solemnly again. The rain eventually resided and only moisture was left to linger. The clouds parted a little, giving way for rays of sunlight to peek through. Eventually all, even the girl’s family, departed from the sight, leaving the gravediggers to finish their job and fill the hole.
“Do you find it tragic?” the whiskey grave digger asked. “To be that fair maiden and find your lover drowned on the beach?”
“On the contrary,” the piping gravedigger replied, “I find it to be a happy ending.”
“And why do you say that?”-
“Because now, both of them can rest in peace together for all time.” He pointed out the grave next to the girl’s. It was the headstone of the brace harpooner who saver her life and won her heart. “Wherever they are now, I sure hope that they are happy.”
The gravediggers continued their work, no further discussions were made.