Written by Regan Chern
On Prospero’s Island,
Four men,
Spaniards in bloomers,
Fight over doubloons.
Careful!
Don’t cut: the gold of their cloth
The red thread of their reign.
Night’s mourning veil removed – she wears royal blue dawn.
Here, there’s only one crown.
They nod ‘good sir’ with sabres drawn.
They stand, silk heels in sand,
And sand, and sand, and sand.
Split eyes go sand dry –
Holding the distance of others,
They’re blind,
Sinking in.
Braced arms become heavy,
Covered in sand.
Sheaths become vessels,
Filling with sand.
The metal, corroding,
They are forever posing
‘En guardia, Sir!’
But no one dares move.
Someday the tide will meet their feet
And tug on their jewels.
Taken to sand.
Author Bio:
Regan is a Brisbane/Meanjin-based writer in the final semester of his Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing) degree. You can find his work published in ScratchThat magazine, encompassing everything from poetry, memoir, fiction, audiobooks, and artworks. He is now a member of ScratchThat’s Editorial Board. He also tutors children from pre-Kindergarten up to Year 12. When he is not working, you will most likely find him with his two cats or hiding behind a mountain of plates from his favourite (and secret) sushi joint.
If you’d like to get into contact with him, please do so through his Instagram page @regancchern. He has also started a book club named the Lemon Lime Readers (@lemonlimereaders), which is currently seeking new members… please…