The Fulfilled Wish

He was limping on the beach one day,
Waves caressing his only foot, then slowly drawing away,
“The story of my life,” he thought with unhappy mirth,
“The way things have been, from the day of my birth.”

Sure... good days would come, only to back away,
Money, love, happiness and joy - just a passing phase,
Then came the war, which cost him an arm and leg,
But got him a medal - cold comfort in bed.

In the distance, he saw a boat - slowly bobbing away,
Getting smaller, until to the horizon it became a prey,
“O mighty one, take me too,” he looked up and said,
Then stumbled, sobbing as he collapsed on the slushy sand bed.

Suddenly, as if in response, the sea-waters grew,
Reached for the morning sky, becoming a huge wall of blue,
Crashed, to the accompaniment of frightened shrieks,
And then left, leaving the world black - and in complete peace.

He was limping on the beach one day,
When the tsunami came and took his life away...