He lies in bed.In a nocturnal state that exists somewhere between the brutality of consciousness and the serene and subtle whispers of sleep, he slithers involuntarily upon the mattress, and within himself.
The somnolent wrenching is not due to self-loathing or guilt. It’s more akin to the movements of an aging copperhead shedding its skin.
The emotional molting conjures up a variety of images…Of the past, of the present, and the future…His future.
Between the black and white frames of this midnight matinee, he thinks.
His life, up to this point, has been an unwavering journey to find his one true paradise, a personal paradise that allows him to bask in the light of a thousand sunrises.
Many times he has found that paradise. Many times he lost that paradise. But, at least once in is life he rediscovered that paradise, and covets it…and her.
His trek has been full of tailwinds and doldrums…highs and lows.
He has always pressed on, and to the casual observer, has actually dared fate to place yet another perfect storm or another El Capitan-sized piece of granite in his path.
Through it all, he has managed to survive the storms and climb to the top of the rock, and yell, “I WIN…I win.”
For him, however, while winning has its temporary glory, life is a season that perpetuates itself…a baseball game that doesn’t end after nine innings.
With a toss and a turn, he remembers.
He recalls the blue-green spray that he experienced off the coast of Antigua. He can feel it stinging his skin and the bitter, salty taste of it.
And, in spite of the sting and the God-Awful bitterness of the spray…
He longs to feel it again, to taste it again, to harness the full power of a sleek barquantine or a J-Class Sloop and tame the oceans once more.
His thoughts overwhelm him…a truly religious experience that engulfs his mind, his heart, and his soul.
Trying to escape the catharsis, he sits up, shakes his head, and notices that the nightstand clock reads 4:17 A.M.; he thinks of St. Bart’s, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten.
In this come to Jesus moment, he wonders if he is thinking about the names of saints or the names of islands.
The answer is simple. To him, they are one and the same.
Cheers!!
63 comments:
Whoever he is I am with him on the islands ;)
You have no idea, baby. I have convinced my parents that if they gotta move they should move to Hawaii, and if they move to Hawaii, perhaps we should ALL move to Hawaii and build a commune. Once a hippie child, always a hippie child =)
How's the liver? I am beat to hell post concert and a 10 hour work day yesterday. Then I took Kidlet on a photography drive today. I am wishing I had some Rose myself right about now. It's nearly Monday. Bah!
Starr: Sounds like a good time for you and the kidlet, albeit tiring. I am wrecked. I have so much catching up to do with you all. I think it's gonna have to wait until the 'morrow. Burnt the Eff Out, I am. Cheers!!
Well then go flop on Kelly. And when did you write this? Been perking on it or did you just blast it out? Answer in the AM :P
Starr: Oh I'm up for awhile...I have been thinking about it for a couple of days, but wrote 90 percent of it in my head while I was at work today. Cheers!!
Yeah? Well write more =)
Starr: Well, I hope you liked it, and with any luck (ahem) there will be much more. Cheers!!
Starr: That was me, not Schmoop. Oy Vay!! Cheers!!
Getting in touch with your feminine side ;)
Starr: I did that about two hours ago...and the feminine side felt frickin' wunnerful.
And dammit...She always has me post her entries, and every time that I do, I inevitably forget to sign out and sign back in as me. Man, the troubles I go through for her. Cheers!!
That's an impressive bit of writing. Thanks for sharing it. And good luck as you write more of it.
Travis: Why thank you very much, Trav. Have a great week. Cheers!!
I think I met that guy at an anchorage off the south east coast of St. Kitts.
We shared Heinekens and roti's from the local store.
Good Stuff!
Micky: What? No Rose? The surf goes better with Bagwine. Cheers Mick!!
That was lovely. I've always wanted to be on a proper ship (and on a lovely island) Cheers, baby!
Lady Jaye: Thanks. May I go island hopping with ya? Cheers, LJ!!
...these words are nothing less than the brush strokes of an artist on canvas...
Phfrankie: You are too kind you sexy, shirtless man, you. Cheers!!
...you mean sexy like Roseann Barr sexy, or rilly, truly sexy, like George Hamilton sexy?
Phfrankie: I was thinking more along the lines of Carrot Top. Cheers!!
...Ha!...in reality, I'm much more akin to Mr. Potato Head.....
Phfrankie: And half-baked at that. Cheers P-Man!!
I read it twice because it flowed so easily through my mind that I was sure I missed something
but I didn't
it's all there
Dianne: It is pretty straight forward and I love the fact that I flowed through you. Mmmmm. Cheers Di!!
Loved your words darlin~ LOVED the photo of one of my fav places on earth. El Cap... a place to feel small and VERY significate!
This was a peace-filled post..Ahhhh~
Cheesy: Why thank ya sweetie. It only took a half an hour or so to write it because I have no problem living vicariously through others. It is a formidable rock, no? Cheers Cheesy!!
Another wondrous discovery, the unfolding of Matt-Man before our very eyes.
Lovely.
Songbird: The words may be mine but the story belongs to another. But I am unfolding like a piece of Matt-i-Gami, aren't I? Ha.
Thanks dear. Cheers!!
No, I meant the unfolding of you as a story teller, my dear. Another softer side to you.
Songbird: I knew you were. But don't expect it too often. And anyway, I have been telling stories on here for over two years; it's just a matter of determining which ones are true and which ones aren't. ; ) Cheers!!
Beautiful bit of prose...although if I woke up at 4:17am I'd be PISSED! Unless I was STILL up at 4:17am.
Apple: I have seen 4:17 A.M. far more often than I have cared to. Cheers!!
Evil: Why thank you very much. I wonder if Capatain Hook had a hard time masturbating. By the way I tried to comment on your site this morning and your comment box wouldn't come up.
Did your box not come up because you didn't want me in it? ; ) Cheers!!
Great story and immediately made me think of a Buffet song: Breath In, Breath Out, Move on
Jamie: Ha. It's funny you said that because I thought of another Buffet song when writing this, "He Went to Paris". Cheers Jamie!!
Maybe you should stay drunk if this is what ruminates from that alcohol sloshed brain of yours.
It is wonderful...and I find it interesting that you wrote of this after a visit from the ocean-going Mickey-T himself.
Most excellent my communist sympathizer friend...
When I read it last night I went straight to Southern Cross by Crosby Stills and Nash.
Bond: It's no different what I write on a typical day. It's merely that it's not comical. Now, pass me a drink. Cheers!!
Starr: Ha. I was singing that song at work yesterday as well, while I was formulating it. Cheers!!
Room for a stow-away? ;)
Yeah? Well now you understand the root of my tropical whoreness. When I was around 13 or so I developed and major yen to move to the tropics. I have even blogged about my desire to Go Bamboo and the Brit's call it.
I wore out, literally, my first copy of that album by CSN listening to it every night at bed time for a year with my giant sized travel posters of the Taj Mahal, and Thailand and Bora Bora that I had interspersed with the obligatory Duran Duran posters ;)
I think that is why I drive so much for enjoyment. I have had the urge to run away for a very long time.
RLL: Oooooo baby. Let's have galley sex. I'll spank ya with a hot skillet. Cheers!!
Starr: What you are running away from is...yourself. Ha. I have always wanted to utter that phrase. Cheers!!
Well to a certain degree you are dead on!
What beautiful prose. I kept expecting some sort of "punch line." When there wasn't one, I had to go back and read it over and savor every word. These are words that I can make personal - I love that.
My Islands have different names - Vishnu, Wotan, Parunuweap, Abajo, Henry - but I feel the stinging and bitter salt on my skin (blood and sweat) - and I too long to feel it all again.
I kind of want to cry.
this somehow reminded me of you:
a guy was in the bar, every so often he would pour a little beer on his hand..I asked "what are you doing?" he said "getting my date drunk"
p.s. that was meant for yesterday's post..
Hmmm ... I like it when I come here and find a little more of Matt-Man! Thank you for the treat!
Starr: Oh hooey. Cheers!!
Desert Rat: Wow. That was sweet of you to pass along. Thanks. Cheers Rat!!
Snugs: Ha. I like that. I'm sure that I'll use it in the near future. Cheers Snugs!!
Dana: I like it when you come here period...and thanks. Cheers Dana!!
Very nice Matt-man. Just don't visit St. Bernard...it smells!
VE: Thanks for the tip but that sounds alot like Bagwine. I might be right at home there. Cheers!!
I want more.
keep writing...you gonna do the nano gig?
did you take all these comments to heart?...most of your readers actually know of what they speak.
more.
Kat: There will be more. As for the Nano thing? I haven't decided yet. Cheers and Thanks!!
I'm so used to the comedy here that I have to read it more then once when you stray. You have a beautiful way with words and imagery.
"Between the black and white frames of this midnight matinee, he thinks."
I love that line. So poetic.
Knight: Why thanks. I thought that line had nice tempo. Cheers!!
Moreplease;-)
TB: More stories like this? Or more me? Cheers TB!!
Damn Matty - that is a wonderful piece - and the writing's not so bad either. XP.
Seriously - that is good stuff.
Thanks for sharing.
Angell: Why thank you very much. I hope things are going well for ya north of the border. Cheers Angell!!
ENCORE!!!
Cathy: Ha. Thank ya. Cheers!!
This is so one, and my mean one, of the best things you've written. I knew you were a great writer! Loves!!
Wow! I'm impressed!
Schmoop: Oh c'mon...It was just a quick draft. But thanks anyway schweetheart. Cheers!!
Michelle: Aw shucks. Thank you very much, Oh Artsy One. Cheers Michelle!!
Post a Comment