Blackrock.
Fiercesomely gaunt like some surprised
mammoth it rises
out of the ocean's lash.
Time-blackened by relentless breakers
its great salined form rears
the caveat that hidden granite permits
no answering back.
Vessels with caution steer clear in fear
of wrecking against
Blackrock's open maw when storms hit
and ships float too near.
Many before have suffered attack but
none more tragic
than fisherman Jack's tug as it pulled
a capsizing pleasure-boat
away from death then split by rock lost
all hands on tug-deck and
the one filled with holiday passengers.
Never before sounded such wailing
for with no survivors
and within sight of land that soaring
leviathan had gorged
then spat out before daylight every
wave-lashed corpse.
Just as a reminder Blackrock at each
tide shows its formidable
jaws for a while as invincible signals
of sea's dire warning.
-
Author:
Fay Slimm. (
Offline) - Published: November 5th, 2022 02:06
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 38
- User favorite of this poem: zengjianhui.
Offline)
Comments7
That black rock will always be there Fay.
Andy
Yes the black rock near where I lived has been there for ever and claimed many wrecks and even lives. Thanks for your visit and comment dear Andy
Good write Fay.
A Carry On film had a 'hurricane season', and a 'monsoon season'. They named the latter something swoony for me! lol.
Glad you enjoyed the read dear Orchi.
I think you have got that just about right, Fay - " BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager, with US$10 trillion in assets under management as of January 2022" .... That should be enough of a dire warning, alone....
However, with a modest amount of effort, I could imagine that it was conceivable that you were referring to something else entirely, and the more I thought about it, but above all read it rich fresh storm tossed images formed....
Ha - - Well the BlackRock you mention most certainly has jaws Dave but I had in mind just the black rock near Penzance where I lived - - submerged and waiting it claimed many a vessel and life at high tides when storms blew boats and their crew into its dangerous maw. - - Well come to think the verse could easily apply to that infamous other and with the same dire warning !! Thanks for those incredible figures too Dave.
Such a tale of woe, told so well dear Fay. We truly are no match for this natural world and all it's pitfalls. Whatever makes us think that we are masters. Such a good write!
How true ;your comment on how fragile the human frame compared with nature's indifferent power dear Bella -- Much appreciated your input on caution needed in sea and land travel when pitting ourselves against such forces.
Blackrocks like these have for eons reminded men to stay clear, for even the mightiest of vessels have lost and left many in tears. Your homage to them is well prosed indeed.
indeed, there must be so many forgotten tales
and Sea-swallowed despairing screams
buried within those thundering waves..
only those towering rocks left as witness
till they too fall victim to nature's eroding, indifference
(such a thought provoking read, dear Fay)
Black Rock knows best .. Love it but neva mess with it .. the sea that is .. nor it, for that matter, since both are clearly forces far greater than we are .. Quite literally poemed to perfection dear Fay ............ x
Though I lived on its doorstep I respected its aura Nev. - that Long Black Rock had swallowed one long-time friend and so many more. Thank you for your expressive response though ....................x
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.