CHRISTMAS TIDES

Twas' a terrible day, last Christmas Day
When the wind and the sea came together
And the old folks say they saw the signs.
The signs that hinted "weather".

The spray on the waves appeared as a mist
As they thundered in through the bay
And many folks thought as they looked to the sea
It was the worst they'd seen in their day.

The ferocious wind screamed in its fury
As it pushed the sea endlessly on
And many folks watched as the hard work of years
Was in minutes forever gone.

The incoming sea rose higher and higher
As it pounded and crashed on the shore
And like a thief in the night, who is never caught
It took all and was seen no more.

It covered the beaches and it covered the roads
As it churned and swirled round and round
Leaving a mess like a child at play
When the tide finally turned and went down.

You know, someone told when the storm had passed
Of how they struggled to save what they had
But that raging sea, that unmerciful sea
Just laughed like a creature gone mad.

It's been said that the sea is a friend and a foe
And we know what a friend she can be
But we also know since last Christmas Day
That she's a far greater enemy.

It's a day that will live in our minds and in our hearts
A sad and disturbing memory.
It's a story to be told to our kids and to theirs
About the storm on Christmas Day in the year 1983.

Christmas Day storm 1983
U. Hynes