I'm entering it in the Pierce County contest, which I guess you wouldn't know about. Its sponsored by my library system, and there are cash prizes.
Thanks for the review!
~Lupis
From my perch on the dock, my eyes explore the dark emerald green water.
My gaze travels down to my fine clothes.
The rough hewn boards scratch my half covered legs adding to my misery and disgruntlement.
With another sigh, I lie down on the dock and observe the clouds pass by in the ever changing bright blue sky.
I sit up and quickly turn my head causing a stabbing spasm of pain in my neck.
His long, white hair floats softly about his face reminding me of freshly carted lamb’s wool.
The sea is calm today: water rippling gently away from the shore, seabirds soaring high on gentle air currents too far away for me to sense.
It swims boldly up to the dock and then, to my astonishment, propels itself halfway out of the water, whiskers brushing my knees, as huge eyes stare demurely up at me. In those liquid brown eyes I feel as if I am falling.
All at once old memories, locked deep within, rush to the forefront of my mind.
I had been swimming in the ocean by our house, my mother on the beach watching. My mother turned her attention towards a magazine and did not see the seal that came up from the deep waters directly below me, appearing a few inches from my face.
I turn back towards the silky, dark animal.
Limpid eyes stare into mine. I look more deeply. I realize that I no longer see the sky reflected in the seal’s dark orbs.
The scene revealed before me now is a dark, murky green framed by softly undulating kelp fronds.
From this vantage I feel I am looking up from the seabed instead of down.
The night mist is returning and though the warmth of the sun still remains I can feel the heat dwindling along with the light.
While my hands busy with this mundane task my mind reflects on what I have experienced. I look up and note that the water is reflecting the last rays of the sun into my face. The seal is still with me, also watching the setting sun.
She seems to know that I have to go and with what looks like sadness slowly turns and slips under the water.
But, I think you would benefit from using more of the five senses -- what does she smell and hear? What does the old man's voice sound like? The rough hewn boards scratch my half covered legs adding to my misery and disgruntlement.
He is obviously very old, and looks harmless enough, but you never know with strangers
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