Courage.
How soon the servant to sun and wind
needs nerves of steel
when handling an ocean so capricious.
Trapped between lull
and heaving fury a sailor meets waves
that might become
changed to deafening thunder, giants
rearing to blind
with saline can un-man vessels quickly
leaving behind
floundering gasps that struggle to right
a wayward mast.
Skippers in days gone by toughened on
life in the brine
yet even the strong weakened enough
when gripped by gale.
Human eyes scanning for shore skyline
find courage cries
louder than storm's wail as sailors leap
into hell's blast,
tighten and loosen all soaked bindings,
claw against force
and slowly up-right dangerous leaning
toward safe course.
Then, gale out-blown and risk subsiding
under sun's heat
to mirror-flat doldrum of glistening sea
where languid lie
sails and fish swim alongside uncaught
do blisters subside
and raw fingers heal before next storm.
Pity ship-mates
coping with vagaries of mis-behaviour
in their fickle
mistress as worked to the weary bone,
hauling for home
near beaten small boats limp into port,
holed and fish-less.
Old-time seafaring folk wading through
tales own to fright
before soldering nerves of steel tighter.
-
Author:
Fay Slimm. (
Offline) - Published: March 26th, 2019 04:02
- Comment from author about the poem: The poem was written after viewing the painting which is called Turner's Perfect Storm Lashed to the mast for four hours as the ship heaved and plunged, the artist experienced violent sea
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 79
Offline)
Comments10
A very passionate write, fully fleshed out with a myriad of descriptions.
Lovely read, Fay.
My grateful thanks Nick for seeing the passion behind the words -- oceans are places where danger catches fishermen daily.
A good write Fay. Thankfully we in our area didn't see a snow-bomb storm that was forecast earlier this month.
Oh - I never heard of that forecast Orchi - am thankful for you all then.
Beautiful
Thank you Sunshine for your visit and comment - - glad you found the write enjoyable.
One would be hard pushed indeed not to break out in a cold sweat while reading this truly amazing poem Fay... .. whether that is because of my passion for poetry, or my firm belief that I once went down in rough seas, somewhere off the Cornish coast.. would ya believe...... Cheers, your very salty friend, N
Never thought it would be so emotive dear Nev - - poets live in a world of fancy I know but my passion is to educate folk in the dangers out there on an ocean - - glad you felt the heave of stormy saline though - - -and thanks a lot for your generous comment - - p.s. I hope that going down was not from experience. - - x
You have some of the most amazing coastline anywhere, dont'cha.. and people do need educating... I have felt for years, certainly since I was a nipper that I was involved in a ocean tragedy off Kernow's ragged coast... I also have an affinity with the Great but misnamed first world war and Glastonbury around the 7th century .......... N x
1 more comment
Oh this left me feeling savaged by the waves.
There was a call in on the radio about a boat being hit be a storm yesterday.
Only your poem took me back to a time I apparently never knew, but rich was your tale!
Many a wise and courageous life has been lost, overcome by the magestic sea in its boiling maelstrom.
You have written a fitting tribute to those who live by putting to sea for their many reasons.
Turner is my favourite. He captures drama and strength for me. I was rather disappointed with the recent film, though Timothy Spall was excellent as usual.
We seem to have an Oceanic wave flowing through this site today.
I live in a coastal town, and was a sailor for a number of years. I have since learned to respect the power of the Sea. Your poem captures that force and power perfectly. The Sea takes whatever it needs. Lovely poem - Phil A.
Yes the ocean flows through quite a few poems today Phil - - and so pleased you who have had experience at sea caught my page and tribute today to sailors who face such a fickle mistress - --
Some writes, like this one, bring back the images of one of my favorite movies , THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA with Spencer Tracy.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Good to know the read brought back memories of a grand old actor in a famous movie. Thanks Suresh for your visit and comment.
It's a beautiful poem. It made me think of Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea -- fighting against the waves and the storm, trying desperately to survive. Thank you for the poem. I really enjoyed it!
Grateful Jo for your comment and mention of Hemingway - a favourite with me too - - the sea and its vagaries has inspired lots of poetry and stories and living so near to its moods I felt fisher folk in small boats deserved a tribute
O hear us while we cry to Thee
For those in Peril on the Sea !
Thanks for caring & sharing FAY ! Those of us in the UK who live on the Coast ~ know just how powerful and relentless the Sea can be. This has been exemplified this week by the stricken Viking Cruise Liner that almost capsized off Norway and had to be evacuted ! We were in the BALTIC on a Liner and the Sea was very rough and furniture was sailing across the lounge ! We were revented (by the stormy Sea) from docking in Copenhagen !
Deep Sea Fishing is one of the Worlds most hazadous Jobs. A Friend of from Lowestoft works for the Seamans Mission and his talk is "The Price of Fish & Chips" He supports retired & injured DS Fishermen and the Widows of deceased Fishermen. Your excellent Poem highlights the dangers faced 24/7 by Sailors & Deep Sea Fishermen ! We must always treat the SEA with the greatest respect ~ AMEN !
Love the Turneresque Painting you posted : scary !
Blessings & Love in the Spirit
Brian & Angela 🧡🧡🧡🧡
These brave souls need tribute by landlubbers like me who loves the ocean but invariably sees it from the quiet of beachwalks etc. - - thank you so much for your added support with your account of experience whilst in the Baltic - -the feeling of helpless terror when caught well out at sea in a small boat by one of its storms must need the prayerful quote you mentioned. Yes Turner himself had that same experience as my note explains - they must have been four of the worst hours of his life eh ? - Thanks again for your continued support dear duo.
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