Round orbs of fire glowed against the night shadows

Dotting four or five spots along the top of the old castle wall

(were we seen?)

We ran shirtless, zig-zagging down narrow and uneven steps

Padding barefoot and scattering grit

And sweating in the blue air

Someone splashed into the water first and the rest of us followed

The low moon hung above the waves was chopped into bright wedges

That we slapped down with hard strokes,

Pulling our way into the world

I looked back a few times (I wasn’t the only one who did)

The shouts and clanking behind us were now soft and warm

Like a pillow whisper before a dream

The friendly boat glided darkly towards us (just in time)

We flopped onto the wooden bow and smiling teeth and

Callused hands helped us to our feet

Some of us went below deck to eat warmth and

Drink yellow-hued company

Cozy under a low ceiling

A few of us remained topside a little longer, feeling significant

I still remember the deep sky expanding in our chests

And thrill winds of escape cradle-rocking and swirling over our wet skin

I was cold and miserable