Things unseen from the corner of the eye.

[oneighty]

Been alone on my boat Vicky Mary for many days trawling the ocean for shrimp from sunrise to sunset. Nights I anchor up in a salt-water creek on a barrier island, protected from the ocean waves. I cook up some grits,fish and shrimp on my two burner gas stove, and black coffee. A lot of black coffee.

Last summer I brought along a young want to be shrimper man. Poor guy lasted part of the first day. He became terrible seasick and puked all over the catch. I set him back ashore. He does not come with me again.

Alone out here with lots of time to think I make up stories, write poetry, sing to myself. At night I admire the stars there are so many many stars to admire.

Sometimes I catch a movement from the corner of my eye, a passing shadow. Startled I turn quickly ready to defend myself.

No one, nothing is ever there.

From Voyages of the Vicky Mary.

180

[bertha katzenengel]

1. 180

:thumbsup:

[pdx_prog]

2. The strange things seen out of the corner of our eyes

could possibly be time travelers leaping from year to year...:)

[oneighty]

3. True

They could also be shades of all the peoples one did wrong.

Demons. Guilty conscience. Or sailors that have gone before you.

Or maybe just a dream.

180

[fight4my3sons]

4. 180

Always a pleasure to read your words :-)

[oneighty]

8. Thank you

fight4my3sons

Edit.Maine. Perhaps you know about fishermen?

180

[fight4my3sons]

27. Not too much.

I'm a NY transplant. I do live by the coast though, so I am learning. Shrimp season started not long ago and we've been eating it a lot!

[pokerfan]

5. Shadow People

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_people

[oneighty]

10. A fairly long

story poem goes with this short story. I also worked it into a visit from my deceased father. I have never shared that story.

Shadow people is interesting in wikipedia. Interesting, but I have never seen such. Fortunately.

Thanks.

180

[Oeditpus Rex]

6. You've made me think

And feel.

Something.



Just as this did:



When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look, but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown, the dream is gone

[oneighty]

7. But the child is the father of the man

The dreams might fade but they are never gone.

I think.

That is a nice poem Oeditpus Rex.

180

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. I love your spare prose, my dear 180.......

Thank you for this bit of it.....

So vivid, yet so compact......:thumbsup:

[oneighty]

11. Hey California Peggy

Thank you.

Did you enjoy Athens? It was the only place in my travels that I was ever robbed. On the street fast personal. An interesting story.

180

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. Yes, I did enjoy Athens, even though it was very hot!

You should tell us your story!


How about it?


:loveya: :hug:

[oneighty]

14. It was a clear

cut case of robbery by pickpocket. It was in the dark of early evening. A policeman saw it happen but did not see who did it. A few days later I was called to report to the division officer. He said the Athens Police wanted me to appear at a line up and possibly identify the thief. The division officer asked if I thought the little bit of money I lost might be worth a man's hand.

At the lineup they had the thief. I did not admit it though. The policeman in charge was furious with me. I continued with my denial and returned to my ship. Wondering.

Forty-nine years ago. I know it was not him appearing at the corner of my eye.

180

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. I am so glad that you didn't report him.....

He would have lost a HAND? Omigod......

I would not have reported him either......

It takes a great deal of courage to do what you did, whether you felt brave or not....

Hats off to you, my dear 180!

:loveya: :pals:

[SeattleGirl]

12. "Things unseen from the corner of the eye."

I love that line 180! It gets my mind going to all kinds of interesting places. :hi:

[oneighty]

17. Are you still lonely

SeattleGirl?

It is not an original phrase. See post six.

I passed through Seattle long ago going to or coming from Japan. I saw a movie there 'Forbidden Planet'.

180

[SeattleGirl]

25. I am

It's partly the post-Christmas letdown, but also because of a realization I had about something that needs to change in my life. And it's something I have to deal with at some point. Ah, such is life, huh?

[oneighty]

26. I will go to your post

and learn.

180

[Straight Shooter]

15. I had one of those when I lived in Tennessee

I'd be working at night, busy typing, and then suddenly it would appear just out of the realm of sight, but still noticeable within the blink of an eye.

It happened too many times for me not to be aware of its presence, and yet remained unidentified.

[oneighty]

18. Remember the old

horror stories when 'Familiars' were a common theme? I think they were also known as 'Fellow travelers'. Ever present never seen.

Shiver. I think I will close this door.

Yes

180

[Straight Shooter]

19. Oooohh, I could never listen to horror stories.

It's funny you mention that, though, because it reminds me of animals and their role as familiars. Lately my dog has been acting "spooked." She'll be lying on the couch, then she'll jump off and just sit and stare at it. Once she even climbed up in my lap. Definitely scared of something, but I can't sense what she's seeing.

Animals. They always have one foot in the paranormal world.

[oneighty]

21. Yes

I kept two antique chairs overnight for a friend of ours. The seats and backs were cowhide with traces of hair in place. Our cat sat under one of the chairs her eyes glowing and STARING at me. I in great haste carried the chairs out of the house and into my car. Oh boy chills. Cats are common 'Familiars'.

180

[Straight Shooter]

23. You understood what the cat was sensing.

I wonder if she was picking up on who had previously sat in those antique chairs a long, long time ago, traces of a strong personality lingering in a favorite chair perhaps?

Ah, the mysteries of life.

I'm going to bed and shall keep my eye attuned to whatever might appear, for amusement, at the corner of my eye as I go through my house and turn off the lights. ;)

[oneighty]

24. Rest easy

180

[Dangerously Amused]

20. Bravo!

Your words are elegant and powerful. They move me, always. Mine in praise feel clumsy and self-conscious.

May I simply say, "bravo!"?

[oneighty]

22. Thank you

You flatter me and you spoil me.

And I love encouragement.

180