Ship of Dreams (1st Place)

Andy beheld a towering mast. The ship glided on the waves as it pushed toward the harbor. Andrew stood upon the pier waiting. A lyre hung from his neck. His eyes scanned the ship’s topside.

Come on. Come on.

At last he spotted what he longed for – a woman. She walked like a man, and two teeth were missing. She wore a dirty, hole-riddled top, with matching filthy rags for pants. Andy’s heart leaped. Finally!

He removed the lyre. When the ship came within earshot he strummed out a song. A few women huddled around him as he began to sing. Their eyes were trance-like at the soft tone and soothing melody.

The woman on the ship looked up. She turned her head toward him and leaned against the rail. Several of her shipmates glanced her way, curious. She leaned harder and harder against the fragile wood until she fell headlong into the sea. The men scrambled to throw her ropes, but she seemed intent to swim toward Andy.

“Belinda!” the captain shouted, “Come back! What the devil are you doing?”

The ship bore upon her.

“Hard a port!” the captain clamored, “Take down the main sail! We’re going to run her over!”

Andy grinned, but kept playing and singing.

The ship broadside toward Belinda swept over her and a hard thud caused several to gasp on the pier. After a minute, Belinda’s body bobbed up in the salt water.

Andy stopped and replaced the lyre around his neck. He sauntered down the pier. Many rushed to see the odd spectacle.

He pulled back a curtain on a merchant tent.

“Hello, mother.”

The woman nodded. “Good day I see.”

“At last another woman on a ship. Do you know how difficult it is to be a siren’s son?”



299 Words
Flash Story Must contain: Tower, Song, Curtain