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A Perfect Storm

Beyond the bay the sun peeked over waves; calm belied what destiny would tell. A statue peers where sailors served and gave, so far from Gloucester shores where seagulls yell. So far from sheltered harbor's gentle swells. Undaunted sailors dared the Flemish Cap - too far, as nature mixed a hopeless trap. Like hungry beasts tempt fate to catch their prey and stray beyond their tribal hunting grounds; the George's Bank was left to stern that day to go where surely greater catch abounds. But while their hold was filled with bounty found, two angry storms swirled in a deadly dance and left the Andrea Gail without a chance. Her captain turned for port but could not know such wrath of nature blocked their pathway home, and all the crew on wings of Angels glowed - the face of God to trust and not to roam. Though oft in tumult's grasp they will bemoan and think to sell their souls on devil's waves, yet safe in Heaven's grasp they will be brave. RIP October 28, 1991

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Mahtab Bangalee

Date: 6/26/2019 5:27:00 AM

impressive writing-Like hungry beasts tempt fate to catch their prey/and stray beyond their tribal hunting grounds; //// beautiful poem penned

Bartholomew Williams

Date: 3/3/2019 1:54:00 PM

Craig, I appreciate your thoughtful account of this fateful, tragic voyage. Well done. Congrats on your podium win! All my very best to you and yours. :) Bartholomew

Wendy Watson

Date: 3/3/2019 1:35:00 PM

What a compelling account of an event which, like Tom I had seen on screen but not thought about for years. The whole poem was so well written and I loved the anaphora in verse 1,Craig - very effective reinforcement of their remoteness. Congratulations again on your success, He knows a great poem when he sees one!!

Craig Cornish
Date: 3/3/2019 2:13:00 PM

Thanks Wendy, I live about an hour from Gloucester Massachusetts and have been there many times including shortly after the storm. It really hit the tight families of the town very hard. It was a very sad time. The families of Gloucester, like many fishing villages have lost thousands to the sea and that's why they have such a special bond as one and that is shared with all of those in the UK and elsewhere.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 3/3/2019 12:55:00 PM

Such a tragic story Craig, I watched the film, the perfect storm and when those two fronts met and created hell I knew there was no hope for those brave men. A well written verse honouring those brave men. Congratulations. Tom.

Craig Cornish
Date: 3/3/2019 2:16:00 PM

Thanks Tom, I can't imagine the terror that sailors experience when they face death, the closest I can come, since I have been a sailor is the relatively petty squalls which have frightened me enough.

Mark Toney

Date: 3/3/2019 12:04:00 PM

Craig, your poem describes perfectly the tragedy of the Andrea Gail. A Fav for me. Congratulations on your third-place win on Mile 21 of my 2019 Poetry Marathon Contest! Thank you so much for supporting my contests. By continuing to place in the contests you are accumulating points toward the final. ~Mark

Craig Cornish
Date: 3/3/2019 12:42:00 PM

I'm honored Mark, I rarely enter contests anymore but your challenge was irresistible. Thank you for hosting.

Becca Teagan

Date: 11/3/2017 2:56:00 PM

This is an excellent and poetic account of what happened, when "nature mixed a hopeless trap"