The Ship Has Sailed

I saw that ship sail away.

I was almost certain I had a ticket. Perhaps I lost it, around the time I lost everything else that mattered. Perhaps I put it somewhere ‘safe’ and, in the ebullient rush to ready myself, forgot where that safe place was, forgot, even, that I required a ticket.

Whatever the reason, I stood upon the docks as the sun began to set and watched that ship sail away.

There were no more ships that day, that week, that month, that year. My luggage is Havisham dust covered and my failing eyes scan distant horizons for funnel smoke.

Worse still, I turn around and look behind me; it is with slight horror that I notice the lands on which I stand beginning to sink into the sea.