The boat gently rocks
The waves swirling in the faded blue
The creaking wood splinters as the might
Of the sea pushes against it
A young girl sits alone
Huddled in the corner
Swathed in piles of fleecy warmth
Her tears stain her face
Her parents gone
On a boat to a new world,
New life
The past is in the past
Her bear clutched in her hands
The threads coming out
Its shabby smile shows its love
Staying with her as the last remnant of her parents
She shakes with fear
Scared of what lies ahead waiting for her
She pulls herself tighter into a ball
Trying to shield herself.
An elderly woman approaches her
Her careworn face looking at the heartbroken girl
She extends her hand; an invitation,
As she pulls the girl to her feet.
They walk down the rickety ramp
Descending ashore
An unspoken alliance
Between the two loners .
- BETTY B. D.
Tranquility
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