Red Flag Flying
The bones of the drowned circle around
journey in currents miles from shore far
from human warmth.
A boy slips off the icy pier
into a welter of waves and ice.
Wild Lake Michigan holds scores of bones.
Swimmers sweep away in a rip tide:
a long line of people joins hands
to wade out in the surf.
A helicopter flies over the water.
A Coast Guard boat searches
wet suited divers probe the deeps.
For days family and friends keep
a vigil on the shore…gaze out
at the water.
They stand watch for hours.
A black sun burns with a fiery corona
a red flag flies.
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Good work.
Everyone thinks lakes aren't dangerous; how wrong they are. The Great Lakes, in particular, have deadly histories; storms blow up with amazing suddenness; the currents are treacherous; many ships have been lost due to the power of the waves. Excellent cautionary write--well done.
Being from Ohio originally, I've seen the power of Lake Erie.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.