ThThe Hawk

I found my self sitting in a boat among a crowded and mixed group of women and men of different ages. I did not know any of them, I don’t remember any of their faces. I was huddled at the stern without the ability to move my limbs, just like anyone else I guess.
I can’t remember seeing a sail above our heads or oars on both our boat’s sides. The sky was clear and the sea was smooth like a mirror.
Not a word was uttered, all eyes were directed to the horizon with much hope it seemed, and I wondered whether they really saw what I couldn’t – for I saw just water and the imaginative line where the sky kisses the sea.
A sudden gust of air started to blow, and the sky was covered with dark menacing clouds. We were caught in a vicious storm in a sudden drastic change.
Frightened, frantic shouts were heard above the wind’s sob like howls; towering dark waves threatened to capsize our boat. I could hear someone suggesting to get rid of a few of us, to lighten the boat’s load; when a giant wave raised the bow and I was thrown backwards into the water. I didn’t swallow much water having held my breath and I kept my mouth shut. But I hit the bottom surprisingly fast. I stood quickly on my feet, and realized that the water hardly reached my chest. The boat wasn’t too far off, I shouted to them in vain – nobody heard me, then a huge wave hit me and swept me towards the shore.
The next thing I remember is lying on my belly face down on the sand, half immersed in water. I tried to stand up, I couldn’t so tired I was. I crawled forward towards the forest fringe, the sky was still dark it wasn’t too hot yet, but I thought that the sky would clear up in a short while and instinctively I knew, I’d better find refuge in the shade under the forest canopy. I reached at last the forest fringe, and getting hold the nearest tree trunk I stood slowly up and looked back. The storm subsided but the boat wasn’t there anymore. I slumped slowly down in utter exhaustion and lying on my back I almost fainted. Sleep was creeping like a thief I was so drowsy, when the noise of flapping wings right above me made me start in alarm. A beautiful fowl of prey was about to land upon my chest, its sharp talons almost touched me. What a sight it was, awesome and frightening at the same time; its spread wings, its glaring yellow eyes, its powerful beak so close. I raised my head a bit and managed to wave my left arm, I tried to shout but I don’t know why, I couldn’t. The hawk veered sideways, flew up and perched on a near branch; just a few yards away, watching me with its piercing gaze.
Right at that moment I woke up, and sat in my bed embracing my knees with my hands – in total darkness, seeing the glare of its yellow eyes in my mind’s eye.

© Haim Kadman 2009 – all rights reservedThe Hawk