Round orbs of fire glowed against the night shadows
Dotting four or five spots along the top of the old castle wall
(were we seen?)
We ran shirtless, zig-zagging down narrow and uneven steps
Padding barefoot and scattering grit
And sweating in the blue air
Someone splashed into the water first and the rest of us followed
The low moon hung above the waves was chopped into bright wedges
That we slapped down with hard strokes,
Pulling our way into the world
I looked back a few times (I wasn’t the only one who did)
The shouts and clanking behind us were now soft and warm
Like a pillow whisper before a dream
The friendly boat glided darkly towards us (just in time)
We flopped onto the wooden bow and smiling teeth and
Callused hands helped us to our feet
Some of us went below deck to eat warmth and
Drink yellow-hued company
Cozy under a low ceiling
A few of us remained topside a little longer, feeling significant
I still remember the deep sky expanding in our chests
And thrill winds of escape cradle-rocking and swirling over our wet skin
I was cold and miserable
I was cold and miserable
