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Journey's End

They flee their native country With teary moistened eyes They take a few belongings And hope that never dies. Away from persecution Oppression, hate and war They cross the sandy desert And make it to the shore. They ride the waves to freedom But land is far away; They have to keep on going There is no other way. The wind is getting stronger The clouds are dark and dense. There’s cause for apprehension And feelings that are tense. The boat is old and weary (The sea irate and rough); Abused, disorientated It finds the going tough. The storm will show no mercy, The panic turns to cries, (The waves are overwhelming) There’s terror in their eyes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The calm after the tempest The sun is shining bright The boat is drifting slowly But not a soul in sight..... --------------------------------------------------------------- Contest: A poem you have not entered in a contest # 14 Sponsor: Poet Destroyer A. Placed: 3rd

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Julia Ward

Date: 3/15/2015 3:25:00 PM

Yours of 3:02 PM - The last stanza was a careful, but effective write in that respect. Hugs, Julia, xx

Paul Callus
Date: 3/16/2015 11:57:00 AM

:) txs

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 2/2/2015 3:10:00 AM

A hard truth Paul! That's where the journeys end,, setting the soul free,, thoughtful deep write my friend ! Congrats on awesome win!

Paul Callus
Date: 2/2/2015 11:29:00 AM

Thank you Upma! We get many of these boat people coming to Malta, even if their aim is to land in Italy, thus having access to the main European countries. Unfortunately many lives are lost at sea! All the best. // paul

Debbie Guzzi

Date: 2/1/2015 4:55:00 PM

Congrad's on your win. So many people have lost their lifes trying for freedom and safety on foriegn shores [sigh] Light & Love

Paul Callus
Date: 2/2/2015 11:32:00 AM

Thank you Debbie. People will do anything to start a new life where the hope for freedom is first and foremost in their mind. Have a lovely week. // paul

Skat A

Date: 2/1/2015 4:00:00 PM

AWESOME TOP WIN... THANK YOU PAUL, FOR THE SPEEDY HI...... LOVE SKAT

Paul Callus
Date: 2/1/2015 4:03:00 PM

:) Thank you Skat...you rock! hugs // paul

Jan Allison

Date: 2/1/2015 9:59:00 AM

Deep touching write Paul - many congrats on your win:-) Hugs jan xx

Paul Callus
Date: 2/1/2015 1:20:00 PM

Thank you Jan! Been out most of the day; this afternoon watched movie "In the Woods"...entertaining, but expected better. hugs // paul

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 2/1/2015 9:49:00 AM

Hi Paul, CONGRATULATIONS!!! :) Thank you for supporting one of my contest. Stop by my latest blog "Own your Beauty" if you'd like or have time. Have yourself a wonderful day. Love LINDA

Paul Callus
Date: 2/1/2015 1:45:00 PM

Thank you Linda! Once again I am pleased to find my poem on your winners' list:) Will now go visit your blog. all the best:) /x/ paul

Eve Roper

Date: 2/1/2015 9:46:00 AM

Paul, congratulations on your win. I love ships stories, but what happen to the crew? Blessings and a 7 dear friend Eve

Paul Callus
Date: 2/1/2015 1:43:00 PM

Thank you for the congrats and the nice comments. // Lately boat people have been crossing from North Africa towards Italy on old big ships; once they get near to land, the 'crew' desert ship and speed off, leaving the ship to nature's mercy. All the best. // paul

Timothy Hicks

Date: 10/24/2014 11:30:00 AM

You fooled me in the end. I could have sworn this was about the pioneers reaching America in 1492. But then the "no souls in sight" made me think I was wrong in my interpretation. There is a tinge of sadness, yes... but you worded it in such way that the sense of peace is more prevalent.

Paul Callus
Date: 10/26/2014 7:37:00 AM

Glad you noticed the sense of peace, Timothy! These people suffer quietly, face difficulties and dangers with courage, and finally die without fuss; the final stanza is the peaceful calm that sums up all this. Thank you for another pleasant visit. // paul

Laura Breidenthal

Date: 9/26/2014 5:59:00 PM

Interesting poem here. The last stanza has resolve but there still remains a sadness almost. Beautiful work.Always,Laura

Paul Callus
Date: 9/26/2014 7:00:00 PM

Thank you for a most welcome visit, Laura...appreciate your comments and thank you for the 'like'. Have a lovely weekend. // paul

Vera Duggan

Date: 9/25/2014 6:57:00 PM

Paul what an excellent piece, it sounds very much like the boat people that arrive on our shores every now and then,in fact they are lucky to reach them sometimes, it is so sad as our government has to turn them around as they are overcrowding the country, anyway I wouldn't want to be in their shoes, take care my friend..........Vera............

Paul Callus
Date: 9/26/2014 2:15:00 PM

Thank you Vera...I'm glad you enjoyed this write; neither I would want to be in their shoes, but I suppose many of them are desperate and look forward to a better life. Take care. // paul

Maurice Yvonne

Date: 9/25/2014 12:30:00 PM

It is the brave poet attempts so dark a theme. It is the immaculate poet succeeds. An excellent poem an enlightening read. I hope your words reaches the ears of those who can affect change.

Paul Callus
Date: 9/25/2014 2:09:00 PM

Many thanks Maurice. I created the picture, but left the ultimate fate of the travellers to the readers' imagination. I hope that political summits will tackle this problem with sincerity in mind...not just words. // paul

Kelly Deschler

Date: 9/25/2014 2:19:00 AM

It is so heartbreaking when the journey does not end exactly where and how we wanted it to.... I love the smooth rhythm and rhyme of this write. It adds something so enjoyable to the poem! Very, very nicely done, Paul. Good luck in Linda's contest!

Paul Callus
Date: 9/25/2014 9:53:00 AM

Thank you Kelly for your insightful and lovely comments. Living in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea has made me more aware of this escalating human problem; rickety old boats try to cross from North Africa to Europe laden with adults and children....many times their journeys end in disaster. hugs // paul

Liam Mcdaid

Date: 9/24/2014 3:58:00 PM

touching deeply paul excellent piece of writing

Paul Callus
Date: 9/24/2014 4:27:00 PM

Thank you Liam for the positive and encouraging comments. cu my friend. // paul

Brenda Meier-Hans

Date: 9/24/2014 3:35:00 PM

So devastating and sad Paul. You did a wonderful job again and the flow of your poem was perfect.

Paul Callus
Date: 9/24/2014 4:25:00 PM

Many thanks Brenda! Both your visit and lovely comments are most welcome. // paul

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser

Date: 9/23/2014 8:53:00 PM

tragic tragic....!!!!! i like the flowing of emotions and pictures through.. you brought me to a movie of war in the sea.. :D

Paul Callus
Date: 9/24/2014 3:05:00 PM

Hi Olive_eloi! I see that you too have been touched because you're kind and your heart beats for those who suffer. Thank you for stopping by. hugs // paul

Ilene Bauer

Date: 9/23/2014 7:13:00 PM

excellent! you've described this sad situation very well, paul...

Paul Callus
Date: 9/24/2014 3:07:00 PM

Thank you Ilene; it is not fair that some people will never have the opportunity to live in peace and enjoy a normal life. Take care. // paul

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 9/23/2014 5:55:00 PM

Hope We would never have to endure such a desperate situation in our lives.A heart wrenching poem.Many times I ask.God what did I do better than these people to deserve such a good life?This touched my heart and misted my eyes..Charma

Paul Callus
Date: 9/24/2014 3:01:00 PM

Thank you Charm. Yes, we are lucky to have more than enough in life and hopefully we can continue to live in peace. God bless. // paul