Medusa with a smile

Rising two metres rising

White tops dart through the bay,
Pretty in the sunshine, a creamy flicker on a jewel-like sea,
Harmlesss
But harbouring a more aggressive mood
If you swing the wrong way.

Near gale, the VHF reports.
Easterly. 25 knots rising 35 in the afternoon.
Swell report, one metre rising,
Seas becoming rough.

The boats bob gently in the afternoon sun
Is it coming through? Or missed us?
Usually it comes earlier than they predict
And our emerald bay turns to muddy syrup
With grandiose waves challenging you to creep nearer.

Emergency report: front coming straight over
Gale force winds, 45 knots plus.
No, this one’s a biggy, the lowest low in a decade:
Looking at 65 knots plus, hold on to your hats!

We get a hurricane overhead
and it never even makes the world frame.