Stories and Poems || A Piece of Historical Fiction (Autumn 1998)

Dear Journal, I have been on this wretched boat for...., Oh, I have lost track of the days. I am so weak, my scurvy is at it's worst and I have no will to live. I have now come to realize my terrible fate. I am to die at sea. How foolish I was to believe the captain, with his fake promises of wealth as well as fame. I look back at myself now, so eager to be rich, how selfish and stupid. The harsh reality of life. I know we will never see land. It was all a dream. I feel faint all the time. I have hallucinations everyday, I see my family, my friends, my home. I will never live to see them again. I have heard rumors of a mutiny .I would not be surprised. The work has been so strenuous. I... I..., wait, I hear yells, shouts, I hear, wait yes, the captain has yelled "Land-Ho!" I must go.

(2 days later)

Dear beautiful, amazing, lovely journal! It is true! We have reached land. My throat is hoarse from yelling and singing. My face is sunburnt from staring up at the sky and thanking GOD. I have drank so much ale that I do not think I will need to drink for another year! My scurvy is almost gone. I feel like I have been born again. I cannot express to you dear journal, how much happiness is in my heart and my body currently. I wake up, for 2 days now, smelling wonderful flowers, the pure clean soil, the new dew on, on, on, the amazing trees! I am at a loss for words. Everything is so breathtaking. The lush landscape seems to stretch endlessly, and the sun shines with such intensity I feel as though I am blinded by its immense shine & glory. I find myself crying, not out of sadness, but of joy. Of sheer joy.

Now that I look back, the endless days of work, the suffering, the death, all of it worth it, for this wonder! The wonderful smell of life! I lay on the grass kissing it, because, well, I do not know I am just so full of sheer joy. I have never been happier! I am kissing & hugging everyone! Laughing of joy when I see bugs. Bugs! And the birds! Oh how beautiful! I must go, we are setting camp up and I must help. Farewell!


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