<div style="font-size:10pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:black;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">This is a humorous piece
about what it is like to be 70.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">It flows nicely with
good poetic lines, <o:p></o:p></span></u></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">written very carefully. </span><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">A well told sea tale if ever there
was one. <o:p></o:p></font></font></u></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Though I do question your fondness for sea life if you get
my drift. <o:p></o:p></font></font></u></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Did ya ever consider getting yourself a human
maiden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></font></font></u></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">They can be quite the comfort, <o:p></o:p></font></font></u></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">and they don’t smell of fish.<o:p></o:p></font></font></u></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Sea Whitch<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">© By Brad Corallo<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Word count 907 <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">The yarns of old men such as I, are often dismissed as
exaggerated bits of daft nonsense or blatantly untrue. But by all that I hold
as sacred, I sware the following story is as true as anything can be.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">When I was a lad entering manhood, I proved my worth and
skill as a fisherman here in the Orkney islands. I learned the ancient craft of
boat building and with the help of my mate, Angus, we fashioned one of the
bonniest and most sea worthy fishing boats in all the Orkneys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Angus and I were a pair of strong, bonnie, devil may care
young fellows who feared neither the wrath of the angry sea nor that of the
Lord himself. <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">We both charmed many fair lasses as we were fine singers and
could dance a reel with the best of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">As time passed we were also recognized as formidable
fishermen with uncanny luck. Twuz a rare day when we didn’t bring home a
bountiful catch which we shared freely with those of our village folk who had
fallen on hard times. <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">As we earned some good coin, we would sometimes buy fine
Orkney whisky which we would heartily enjoy with our mates around smokey peat
fires in their wee crofts. <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">So a couple score years ago, one brisk sunny morning, we
boarded our sturdy vessel, which we had christened the Sea Whitch, and set off
upon the tide in search of a bountiful fishing ground. <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">By the blessed hand of fortune, our efforts were rewarded
and after we had netted our share, we shifted sale to head home to the warm
welcome we imagined back on shore.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">Twuz then that a
mighty wind did blow up out of no where and we had to battle with sale and ore
to make fair headway. But twuz not only wind that imperiled the Sea Whitch. The
waters became more and more unsettled and a hard, lashing rain began to pelt
our wee craft like blows of the blacksmith’s hammer. <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">How can rain be like a blacksmith’s hammer. There are too
many of them. They would crush the craft.<o:p></o:p></font></font></u></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Then came dark storm clouds which crowded out any blue left
in the sky and hung over us like an oppressive shroud of impending death.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">The clouds would have already been there with all that
rain.<o:p></o:p></font></font></u></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">As I have told, Angus and I were men not easily
affrighted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">But I must confess, on this
occasion an almost unnatural terror gripped both our hearts. With each minute
that passed, it became more and more clear that we had little chance of making
it back home. <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Let the ney- sayers say what they wish, but in such
circumstances even the most Godless of men entreat the Lord for deliverance. We
were no different!<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">With an unexpectedly violent heave of the sea, we nearly
foundered and dear Angus was lost overside forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">We had been bonnie friends since we both
learned to walk. At this point, all resolve left me. <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Suddenly the sky cracked with blasts of thunder and
lightening flashed. One bolt, like a bright finger of doom struck and the Sea
Whitch was dismasted. I just missed being struck by a spar or getting tangled
in the shredded rigging. But the trusty bark was damaged beyond repair and
began to slowly take on water. Twuz then I knew it was all finally over. <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">As I prepared myself for death, low and behold a large seal
swam up and leapt into the Sea Whitch. I knew then I had finally gone mad with
fear. By some process I cannot explain, the creature began to shed its
glistening pelt. So that ultimately a beautiful, dark haired, dark eyed maiden
stood naked and unashamed before me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font size="3">As
this was happening, unrealized by me at first, the waters were beginning to
settle and calm.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">To my amazement she spoke thusly: “be unafraid my fair young
mariner, I am Bruokenn, queen of the Selkie Folk and daughter to she who
commands all the seas of Earth. I was deeply sorrowed by the death of your
bonnie friend and have calmed my mother’s capricious temper. I would not have
it that your life as well was needlessly sacrificed. I have laid an enchantment
upon thy vessel and twill make it back to shore with no travails. I banish this
storm of the Goddess’s making and your life is justly spared.”<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font size="3"> </font></span><font size="3">And so saying, to my
everlasting surprise, she embraced me and I knew no more until I seemed to
awaken from a dream. Still in my mind I heard her words strangely echoing:
“dear fisherman, may your heart always be filled with the joy thou hadst ere
the loss of dear Angus and may all your future endeavors flourish.” <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">There is not much more of my story to tell. With the help of
her remaining ores I brought the Sea Whitch home to her cove and gratefully
went ashore. Though I had lost the heart for the fisherman’s life, I turned to
the noble occupation of shipwright. My name and reputation as a maker of the
finest sea going vessels became widely known in the Orkneys and even beyond. I
made a fine living, was widely respected and had many dear friends. But
whenever a storm blew up suddenly, I would make my way to the shore. And if
ever I did behold a seal, my pulse would quicken and a precious warmth; like no
other feeling I have ever known, would fill my heart with peace and
gratitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><st1:personname w:st="on">jamesstarfire@gmail.com</st1:personname><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Any one line is good. <o:p></o:p></span></u></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">There are no favorites. <o:p></o:p></span></u></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">They are all Impecable.<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">You promised youj would
use kerfluffle , and you did.<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p align="center" class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p align="center" class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p align="center" class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p align="center" class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p align="center" class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">By Alice Jane-Marie Massa<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p align="center" class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Kleenex,
please! Oh, yes! I need a Kleenex.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Eyes are teary; nose is
sniffy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Really! I am a <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Massa</st1:place></st1:city> mess.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Fashion is replaced with
comfort and warmth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Understanding of my
“silver” sentiments is nearly nonexistent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Fluff and frivolity rule
while I miss serious, contemplative hues.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Fractured moments
replace in-depth pieces and comments.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Listen: my
life should be filled with calmness, creativity--but …<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Eve of Seventy, my world
is a kerfuffle!<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Number of poetic
lines: nine<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">Number of
words: 79<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">February 20, 2020,
Thursday night<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv0064290445msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">_______________________________________________<br>
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