University High School - The Cub Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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VISIONS H.W l ' ( ' i nutliinj - niiii-i- iiniKUtant in iln mi a lirii lit iimincr day, I was aiiiik ' ssly w amlciinjj aloiij; llic iicaili. In a h(irt time 1 had kit all signs of liahitation far hchiiid. I was fasciiiaU ' d by llic strangi ' shells and hits of soa life that had been washed u]) on the sands. I ' or miles the shore line ran along sandy heaehes and steep ragged cliffs. I reaclu ' d an e |)eeially high liaid . and elindu-d np. My iew from the top-most jiU was magnifieent. I eoidd see an endless arrav of meringue eajtped wa es marched np on their foe: then reaching the shore come on in fiu ' y, swirling, swishing, and s])l;ishing S])ray far on the rocks aho e. The wind seemed to lie the water ' s ally, for it was hrilly screaming, screeching, whipping the frenzied waters cm. I gazed hack at the small illage in the distance. I was amused by its queer, superstitious inhabitants. I smiled cynically upon recalling the legend I had heard the night before, a time worn tale of a girl waiting for her lover, and seeing his sjiirit rise from the sea. Wondering where such a tale coulcl have originated, I started down the other side tif the cliff. Upon reaching the bottom, I found myself in ;i small peaceful C(.)ve. Quite pleased, as 1 felt a bit weary from my wanderings. I sat down in the warm sun. I could but faintly hear the roar of the waves, and the wind ' s whistling screech seemed far less shrill. So soothing was this atmosphere. I lay down feeling dreamy and a bit hazy. 1 noticed an enticing ca ern a short di.--tance. but nothing coidd tempt me from ni} ' retreat. 1 lay basking in the sun a few moments, when suddenly a strange voice reached my ears. Thinking perhaps someone else had discovered my oasis, I half rose to see who it was. To my astonishment 1 saw a young girl, hardly more than a child, sitting on a carved --ock in the mystic cavern that had at- tracted my attention. She was still now and was staring out over the hori- zon. I was instantly full of pity for she looked so lonel)-. so grief-stricken. Suddenly, as if seized by imjiulses, she rose and began making her way to my sandy cove. I lay motionless, almost fearing to breathe, lest I frighten her. As she drew nearer. I could see that she was a real daughter of the sea. Her CN ' es. sad and wistful, were the color of the billow - wave.- ; her long wavv hair, the color of the sand dunes. She was clothed in a long, snowy, white robe. Her strange beauty fascinated me, as she stood there, her gaze focused on the dim and distant horizon. Then raising her arms, her face and i)alins Forty-one

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And matching azure lieard. In vain the Terror j lanced about — There was no place to run : The door had lieen the one way out. And it. alas, was g-one ! Though trembling like a leaf, he stood And faced the awfid Thing: His heart felt like a piece of wood Before that spectral king. Slowly the ghastly Creature rose And gazed upon the man ; The Terror watched his red e}es close. And saw him wave his hand. There then arose a mighty din. He trembled in his shoes, And saw gaunt ships come sailing in, Manned by skeleton crews. And one liy one they came to rest — Full sixty ships were there. Then came the skeletons, four abreast And formed a circle bare. The Terror could not watch them prance ; It was too much to see His victims ' bones in ghastly dance On the bottom of the sea. The Creature ' s eyes then opened wide. He waved his hand once more. His frightful subjects, side by side Slunk out and left the floor. The Creature then (produced a jar Filled up with Spanish gold. He flung the pieces wide and far. To the Terror ' s feet the} ' rolled ; As soon as one piece touched his shoe, A swirl of bubbles came, Irridescent, rose and blue. They played about his frame. The Creature waved his hand again. The bubbles danced away. But where the Terror ' s form had been. The somber sea held sway. — Phoebe Cooch.

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turned upwartl, she cried in a doleful voice; yet so faint and undefined were the words, I coidd gather l:)Ut a few of them. Oh, great, dear mysterious sea. Please bring back my loved one to me. She liurled herself on the sand and lay sobbing like a small child. She lav thus for a long while, and then suddenly became quiet. Slowly she turned her head toward the sea once again, her face illuminated as if struck l)y an inner vision. Her features, now glowing with joy, had an almost ethereal appearance. She rose and quickly ran to the water ' s edge. Stretch- ing forth her hands in childish fashion, she called in her sad. mellowed voice, ' ' Ah. but I ha e been waiting long for you. I stared at her. mystified, for I saw no one coming toward her. She reached for something; then, as if being led by a heavenly body, easily strode out on the waters. Paralyzed I watched her for a moment, then realizing her danger, I started to the edge to call her back. 1 was too late, however, for she had gained distance with incredible speed . I fancied I saw her white garments flowing in the wind lint I could not quite distinguished her from the crest of the billowy waves. I then hastened to the cavern from whence she had come, but found no evidence of anvone having been there. 1 was puzzled and shook myself as if to relieve my be- ing of the strange vision I had just seen. Stirely I had been lulled to sleep and had dreamed this thing. As I made my way homeward, the waves mocking me, I mused at the likeness of the dream to the legend I had laughed at. Doubt shall no longer becloud its authenticity. — Fave Wrinkle. DIGNITY I walked up the Avenue of Chinese Quinces And as the wind cut across my face I looked high to the sky and the clouds. And with the dignity of daffodils I scorned them all, and just walked And walked Up the Avenue of Chinese Quinces. — Richard Irwin