Bield-Seeker - Autumn Voices Competition Runner-Up 2024

Bield-Seeker 28, 29, 30… ‘Nae mair’ says the man an he hauds up his haun. A plead wi him – juist me an the wean – an A gie him the last o ma money. He shrugs his shouders, whummles us in. Nae room tae breathe, we’re packed in that ticht but A’m gled – third nicht o tryin – an the ither times the polis slashed the rubber. An noo we’re awaa. But it’s stertin tae blaw, thir’s a gale, the waves higher an higher, the watter’s comin ower the side an the dinghy’s cowpit – Oh God, save us, save me, save ma wean! Aabody’s bobbin aboot, it’s daurk an A cannae see ocht. A’ve got haud o a bit o wuid, tryin tae keep ma heid up an the watter’s cauld… that cauld… A’m on land, dinnae ken whaur A am. ‘Please mister, hiv ye seen ma wean, a wee boy?’ He says, ‘We picked up 28 alive includin yersel an three deid – nae weans yit, but thir’s anither boat oot lookin an A hear they’ve rescued someone, nae information on their age.’ An A’m thinkin, A dinnae care aboot onybody else, juist, please God let it be ma boy, let it be ma boy.