The Breaking of the Wake
The ninth aligned, a sign defined by the cresting foam,
Where July ran dry and the sky unrolled into jagged peaks.
They left the deck to check the trek of the island's spine,
Where Greene had seen a deeper green sweeping down the ridge.
The bay lay grey, a way away from the captain’s iron rule,
So Toby rose, and Melville chose to slip the anchored hull.
In Nukahiva's shade, they waded through the heavy fronds,
To break the wake and take their chances with the valley tribe.
No gale or sail could veil the trail the deserters carved,
They cast the past at last into the dark, forgetting the sea.
.
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: July 18th, 2026 04:51
- Comment from author about the poem: On the 9th of July 1842 Melville and his friend Richard Tobias Greene jumped ship Acushnet at Nukahiva Bay in the Marquesas Islands [Nukahiva Bay, Marquesas Islands] A bit late for the ninth…🙏🏻🕊️
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 31
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments6
good write friend, enjoyed
Thank you dear friend 🙏🏻🕊️
most welcome, good write
Amazing rhyme line for line in this poem of an event in a great writer's life. Poetic in every way this write holds special meaning for me in that Melville is one of my favorite writers and his book Moby Dick is my favorite book. I love your repeated rhymes that like waves beat against the shore of meaning. Lovely my friend and a fave
I’m glad, if only to give poetic tribute to Melville. Thank you 🙏🏻🕊️
You are so welcome and thank you for reviving memories with great word play
A true pleasure even if it takes awhile to put together.
Good write A. Well, I had some invite to and event on the 5th - received about 10 days later. Or do they mean the 5th July next year? Doh! They didn't say.
Funny when dates get mixed up like that! 🤣👍🏻🙏🏻🕊️
What a compelling reimagining of Melville and Toby’s desertion, Rik! The musical language carries them from maritime discipline toward dangerous freedom, while the island becomes both refuge and unknown territory. One heck of a historical piece, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Indeed! A compelling historythat rivals Swiss Family, Treasure Island and Crusoe. Thanks, Tittu🙏🏻🕊️
I love it when you learn something from a Poem. I don't know much about Melville, so Read about his resulting book on his Adventures on the Island. A fave for sure.
Fine write Rik.
Andy
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.