The wind whips around me in a raging fury.
Salt water rains down on me.
I hear my heart pounding in my chest and can taste fear in my mouth
Breathing hard, I freeze as I hear a dull roar behind me.
With a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach, I turn.
A huge wave rears up and races toward me, screaming my destruction.
I dash toward the safety of the tower as the wave races closer.
Praying that the might of stone could withstand the anger of the ocean, I slam shut the heavy wooden door.
With a roar the wave crashes down, giving the tower the embrace of death.
I hold my breath as the tower of faith struggles with the mighty wave of overwhelming doubt.
I wonder if there is any hope that the waters will calm and I'll see the sun sparkle again.
As the roar outside grows, there seems to be nothing left in my heart but fear, doubt, and a trickle of hope.
But the tower continues to shine it's light, like a beacon over the furious ocean.
With an enraged cry it retreats and strikes again, and again.
But the tower holds strong, even under such pressure.
Then, the waves cease their pounding, and the wind stops it's howling.
I walk out cautiously and my heart leaps, but not for fear, for joy.
The sun rises slowly and the world begins anew.
The waves gently lap the tower walls and the wind blows my salt-soaked hair tenderly out of my face.
None of these gentle gestures betraying the battle of the night before.
Still breathing hard from the previous night, I peacefully sigh and run my hands over the tower walls.
Gazing at this new hope laid out before me.
I give a light laugh that the wind catches up to play with.
And through it all, the tower's light continues to shine.