Student Publishing Program ::

Maylin H.

Sailing

Remember that day, five summers back?
On that day, we had one of the highest moon tides of the season.
On that day, the air was warm and salty.
On that day, you wanted to learn how to sail.

The sea gulls flew overhead and all around,
With the soft, salty, steady wind beneath their wings,
While we rigged the boat for our expedition,
For our adventure.

I pointed to the rudder, the jib, the boom, the centerboard, and the main sheet.
I explained what upwind and downwind meant.
I showed you how to rig the boat.
I taught you how to tie nautical knots.

I told you:
Move the tiller left when you want to go right.
Shift it to the right when you want to go left.
Hold on tight, don’t let go.
Don’t sail directly into the wind.

You sat on that hard sailboat seat with tiller in hand.
With a focused expression, you contemplated what to do next:
Where should I head?
Am I doing this right?

I stood leaning against the wooden rail, running my hand through the water.
Relaxed. Amazed at how quickly you were picking this up.
I always knew you were clever.
You learned things so quickly.

You adhered to all of my advice.
You listened to all of my sailing stories from the good ole days.
You paid attention when I babbled about clouds and their formations.
You asked questions about everything, always so interested in all I had to say.

The time sailed swiftly by that afternoon.
The sun was setting over the water, and the sand bars were re-appearing,
When we stuffed the sails into the sail bags,
And headed back to the cottage.

Remember that day, five summers back?
I know I do.
I know I always will.

[TABLE OF CONTENTS, LHS CLASS OF 2012 EDITION]