A Day in Paradise...
The day started as any other day in Paradise. The gentle trade winds causing the fronds on the palms to wave a welcoming greeting to those at sea. The inhabitants of the island scurried about getting their day started.
Along the shore the pool boys at the hotels were setting out clean towels on chase lounges. Cooks were good-naturedly haggling over price with local fisherman and farmers. Hotel guess lazily started making their way out of their rooms to greet a new day.
Yes, just another day in Paradise. The waves gently lapped the sands of the beach. Slowly in and out, in and out, in and out... the rhythm hypnotic and peaceful. Lulling you into a trance like state.
Then the rhythm abruptly changed. The ocean inhales deeply followed by a jarring silence.
Everything stops in mid-motion. The pool boys forget the towels. The cooks, fisherman, and farmers fall silent. The people lying on the beach slowly sit up. As if turned by invisible hands, all heads turn toward the ocean.
The water rushing out as if pursued by the very devil himself, reveals the undersea cliffs and valleys of the great mountains that are Hawaii.
The shore stretches out as far as the eye can see. The shimmering scales of fish catch the eye as they flounder in the sand that, only moments before, was covered in water. In the distance the barnacle encrusted bones of once proud sailing ships are touched by the sunlight they have not felt in hundreds of years. The only hint that the ocean is still out there is the taste of salt on the breeze.
Where has the ocean gone? What is happening?
As the island seems to hold its breath, waiting for the return of the ocean. Two waves of movement are seen on land.
The tourist move toward the strange site in awe. Cameras attached to their faces recording it all for the tales they will weave on their return homes. Oblivious to the fact the islanders are moving in the opposite direction toward the mountain tops.
Running and climbing higher and higher as fast as they can. They do not slowing down to look back. The islanders know what is coming. They have heard the stories passed down from the time of the Kings. The stories of the old gods, who would take the water from the shores only to bring it back to destroy and kill.
Suddenly the quite is split with a ear shattering siren, and one word whispered word becomes a roar … TSUNAMI.
©2010 Pamela Jo
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Scary! We all know the signs of a tsunami now but I can imagine the fear and awe when the tide goes out.
ReplyDeleteHi Clarissa, Thank you for taking the time to comment.
ReplyDeletePerhaps a year ago, I would have been one of those visitors, not knowing what was happening (although I would have been very scared). Today, though, I would be running.
ReplyDeleteHelen, Sorry I missed you. Unfortunately, we all know more about Tsunamis that we would like to now.
ReplyDelete