This is my 150-word submission to What Pegman Saw on Saturday in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Ah
The memories you have of that boathouse
When you were
Seventeen-years-old
Blonde
Blue-eyed
Angelic, some said
A demon, a vixen, a harlot
A saint
A savior
The Madonna herself
Names did not concern you
You expected
You waited
Watched
Worried
and hoped
Time was not on your side
You had all the time in the world
Shadows were your friends
and counted among your enemies
Darkness hindered
Darkness helped – when candles were involved
Rarely
They came to you in droves
One at a time
or as couples with children
and without
Some cried when they saw you
A few laughed in panic
and surprise
They mouthed
Help us!
Save us!
Thank you!
Here! Take this!
You did not accept money
Kisses
or hugs
Merely shoved them into
canoes
drift boats
scows
Whispering
Not now
Be silent
Go! Go! Go!
How many did you save?
Ask them
You never counted
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