A Dead Man's Boat

A dead man’s boat
rowed itself from isle to isle,
dragging its dead man in its wake,
partially submerged, their tether tenuous,
yet somehow never broken.
Past The Isle Of Reeds,
where the slaves had been freed
from the crack of their master’s whip,
and their master, with great resentment,
would be exorcised of the malice
that he had so slavishly curated.
To The Isle Of Defeat
where it was fortunate to escape
the ruthless jagged rocks,
its dead man did not escape,
but in death was spared the agony
of the broken bones and lacerations.
Painfully close to The Isle Of Cleansing,
adorned by sands and rocks made new,
freshly crafted for their arrival
just moments before their arrival,
but the dead man’s boat
would not surrender its dead man.
To The Isle Of The Precipice
where gulls and albatross
sullied the ancient cliffs,
the boat stared up at them
but gave no thought to climbing them,
its dead man may have fallen from them,
perhaps in a better life.
The dead man’s boat
left the isles
and returned to open waters,
it’s dead man dragged in its wake,
together to sink in time.

27th March 2019
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Ashley Avatar
April 26, 2019 at 2:31 PM
Lawrence, I was captivated by the intrigue of your beautifully presented poem which I read as a compelling dark portrayal of one’s mind, body and soul being denied redemption. An absorbing, incredible and expressive piece, my dear friend. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan
Sharp Avatar
April 26, 2019 at 3:51 PM
Thank you, Susan, very kind. It's particularly pleasing to me if this one is well received.
Lamoureux Avatar
April 12, 2019 at 3:23 PM
Congrats on being in the top 100 new poems! An enjoyable interesting read.
Sharp Avatar
April 13, 2019 at 1:27 AM
Thanks, Richard, glad you liked this one.
Smith Avatar
April 10, 2019 at 5:47 AM
Great imagery and storey telling. Rate this one highly Lawrence. Keep surprising us. Best regards David in NZ
Sharp Avatar
April 10, 2019 at 1:04 PM
Thanks, David, kind words very greatly appreciated.
One Avatar
March 30, 2019 at 6:47 AM
Very deep...
Sharp Avatar
March 30, 2019 at 10:57 AM
Thanks for dropping in,SO, very pleased if you liked it.
Lindley Avatar
March 27, 2019 at 7:31 PM
I love the depth and the mystery within this fascinating dark tale my friend..A journey into the nether regions and a dark passage in time.. A fav.. a true dark gem..
Sharp Avatar
March 27, 2019 at 11:19 PM
Thank you very much, my friend, it's always good to have such good feedback from you; thanks no end for fave.
Onclaud Avatar
March 27, 2019 at 4:19 PM
the parade of a demise till its final bend gives this soulful poem a glorious way to celebrate one's passage... so deep, incisive, lawrence... huggs
Sharp Avatar
March 27, 2019 at 11:18 PM
Thank you, Nette, very kind; I'm always pleased at any write being well received by a poetess as gifted and discerning as yourself.
Nicole Avatar
March 27, 2019 at 1:54 PM
Many in the world behave in such a way, much like these moments you have expressed here. This last thought in general. "together to sink in time" Deep and powerful!! Once again, are your words. ~ Brandy
Sharp Avatar
March 27, 2019 at 2:03 PM
Thank you, Branderz, always good to see you here, and very pleasing if it has some meaning to you.
Pandit Avatar
March 27, 2019 at 11:30 AM
This journey in dead man's boat..evoked the days from back when slavery was prevalent. A certain pride the boat showed carrying the dead man.. and never surrendered..choosing to sink instead. A deep message in your poem, Lawrence.
Sharp Avatar
March 27, 2019 at 1:55 PM
Thanks for reading and commenting, Vijay, always appreciated, and always very gratifying to know that some thought is prodded.
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