Abscondium

My steps fall heavily on the dark sand; no rhythm complimenting the

crashing of the black waves. Beside me walks my brother, tall and straight in
wet sand, quiet for a time. We walk together, further from the safety of the
cabin, further into the darkness.

We look often out towards the blended horizon, unable to tell land from sea
and sky. In the distance floats the disturbing glow of a ship. About these flares on
the derelict fisher we begin to speak. We walk and we talk, not caring for
distance or time. We are free.

For a time, we are at peace, but inevitably, the talk dies down as we continue
past the silhouetted fishermen in the water. Within minutes, we can see the
bright lights of Warrnambool flashing in the distance. Suddenly, a strange blast
shoots into the sky, but it is gone before we can comment. Neither of us knows
what it is, but both of us grow alert, for we wish to see it again.

As brothers, our talk rises. We talk of this and that, but nothing to remember.
The disturbing boat still floats silently on the water, eerie lights shining our way
in the absence of stars. Again they flare near Warrnambool, but still we do not
know what they are. More appear now, and they keep shooting onto the grey
clouds. We watch in wonder, my brother and I, curious as to their cause, but this
we may never know.

Before our time, we have reached the dunes, our final destination. Our talk dies
down as we return home. We stalk in the silence, left to our own thoughts. We
are alone in the dark, by the sea, nobody to watch us. For the first time in days,
we are free.

Sam Commadeur, JR7 A Moment From...