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A Perilous Journey

Even on the darkest days when the odds are stacked heavily against us, we should never give up on hope.
Quote By Poet.


We were heading for better life to the new world on the sailing ship 'Athlone',  
After about five weeks disaster struck, and the main mast and sails were lost.
For two weeks we drifted aimlessly at the mercy of the unforgiving ocean.
Food and water were running out fast and an air of doom hung over the ship,
our spirits were lifted when a sailor in the crow's nest shouted out "Land ahoy".

Copyright © Tom Cunningham | Year Posted 2025

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Jennifer Proxenos Date: 3/18/2025 11:57:00 PM God is never far, He will help everyone and anyone who is true to Him, He wasn't far this time either! A Great lesson of pure endurance hope and faith. Loved this write Tom. HUGS BLESSINGS Jennifer. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/19/2025 12:01:00 AM Thank you very much Jennifer, im happy you enjoyed it. You're right, he's never too far away. I hope you are keeping well. Tom

Ink Empress Date: 3/18/2025 1:44:00 AM Dear Tom, you are an amazing storyteller! One that shows us through your words, and also keeps me hooked to read more! I absolutely loved it. And didnt want it to end! What a journey ! Iv traveled in some unforgiving satanic seas, and they are so horrible! Its so scary always. Sometimes the sea might look calm but can be rough too! Excellent quote too to go with your poem. Pleasure reading you today. Sending you light always Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/18/2025 2:47:00 AM Thank you IE, Thankfully today ships are built to withstand everything that the angry sea throws at them. Sadly though extreme weather can still inflict severe damage like the fishing boat the Andrea Gail, they'd lost radio contact and unknown to them they were heading for hell, a fierce storm mixed with a hurricane, both crew and boat were lost. You might have seen the movie, The Perfect Storm. Enjoy your week ahead. Tom

Michael Tor Date: 3/15/2025 4:09:00 PM Lovely win Tom and great Poetry my friend. Congratulations well deserved. This one is a favorite... Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/15/2025 8:46:00 PM Thank you for your congrats Michael, thanks too for the fave. Hope you're keeping well. Tom

Lin Lane Date: 3/15/2025 11:33:00 AM Ya got a winner, Mayor Tom!!! Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/15/2025 12:40:00 PM Yes Ma'am, I sure did, 3 word title too, thanks Lin. Congrats to you too.

Beryl Edmonds Date: 3/15/2025 9:59:00 AM Back with congratulations on your win Tom… Beryl Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/15/2025 11:26:00 AM Thank you very much for your congrats and return visit Beryl, Have a lovely weekend. Tom

Jim Healey Date: 3/15/2025 9:59:00 AM Congrats on the your win. Well done. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/15/2025 11:26:00 AM Thank you very much Jim, I'm happy you enjoyed it. Hope you have a lovely weekend. Tom

John Read Date: 3/15/2025 8:57:00 AM I always remember my Nan saying that the darkest hour is just before the dawn, so never give up, have a lovely weekend Tom. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/15/2025 11:25:00 AM Thank you very much John, she's certainly right about that. 04.00 was when I used to get up for work many moons ago, hope you do too John. Tom

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 3/15/2025 2:38:00 AM - Congratulations on your win, Tom :) - hugs Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/15/2025 3:24:00 AM Thank you very much for your congrats and return visit Anne Lise, have a lovely weekend. Tom

thriveni c mysore Date: 3/15/2025 2:29:00 AM Thank you for ending it on happy note dear poet, Ah I started to breathe again. congratulations on your win. cheers!!! Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/15/2025 3:23:00 AM Thank you very much for your congrats Thriveni, I know people love a happy ending but the oceans when angry have other ideas. Enjoy your weekend. Tom

David Crandall Date: 3/14/2025 8:59:00 PM I enjoyed reading those lines. Not giving up hope is a good message, and also, it reminds me of being a kid reading about explorers sailing the sea in bygone days when it was very dangerous. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/14/2025 10:00:00 PM Thank you very much David, I too love nautical tales, sadly in days gone by they didn't have sonar or satellites to predict weather patterns. Tom

Anne E Sangster - K Date: 3/14/2025 8:22:00 PM I enjoyed reading this Tom and glad the Athlone had a happy ending. Smiles~Anne :-) Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/14/2025 9:57:00 PM Thank you very much Anne I'm happy you enjoyed it. I ended this one on a happy note, there's enough gloom in the world right now. Hope you're keeping well. Tom

Duke Beaufort Date: 3/14/2025 5:48:00 PM Tom, the crew was definitely lucky in this one. Hope is a great thing to hang on to. Things like this have happened in the past without a good ending, but I prefer the way you tell it!!! Smiles!! Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/14/2025 9:56:00 PM Thank you very much Duke, oceans the world over are littered with shipwrecks, they never knew bad weather was coming many ships wouldn't pass safety standards today. Tom

Jan Allison Date: 3/14/2025 3:13:00 PM love the quote it is so inspirational - the sea is so dangerous - love the final line and the happy ending:-) hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/14/2025 3:33:00 PM Thank you very much Jan, we often underestimate how dangerous it is. Tom

Joe Maverick Date: 3/14/2025 2:26:00 PM The only time to be glad, in there being no Scotch on the rocks; Tom.' Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/14/2025 2:37:00 PM Thank you Joe, so true. Tom

Beryl Edmonds Date: 3/14/2025 2:01:00 PM Really good Tom, poem and quote. I was pleased to read that last line, that all on board survived… Beryl Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/14/2025 2:24:00 PM Thank you very much Beryl, the sea is a dangerous environment I feel for those in rubber dinghies fleeing wars and risking their lives looking for a better life. Tom

Deb M Date: 3/14/2025 12:34:00 PM I like that Tom…..perilous to uplifting in five lines! Debx Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/17/2025 3:23:00 AM Yikes Deb M Date: 3/14/2025 4:58:00 PM And its full of sharks!! Tom Cunningham Date: 3/14/2025 2:21:00 PM Thank you very much Deb, I love the sea but it's full of danger when it's angry and shows no mercy. Tom

Victor Buhagiar Date: 3/14/2025 11:25:00 AM Reminds me of St Paul's ship wreck in Malta. Loved your description and imagery. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/14/2025 11:28:00 AM Thank you very much Victor, I love the sea but many have perished when it turns into a raging monster. Tom

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 3/14/2025 6:54:00 AM - The sea is merciless ... a long story in five lines, Tom :) - I think everyone was happy when land was in sight ... hungry but saved :) - Best wishes in the contest :) - Have a lovely weekend :) - hugs Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/14/2025 7:04:00 AM Thank you very much Anne Lise, the sea fascinates me I'm only too aware that the weather can change in seconds often bringing disaster. Hope you too have a lovely weekend. Tom

Lin Lane Date: 3/14/2025 6:42:00 AM I can only imagine the anxiety of being in such a perilous situation. Well wishes in the contest. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 3/14/2025 6:49:00 AM Thank you Lin, the sea can be so unforgiving and thousands have been lost in fierce storms and disasters on it, Tintanic, Andrea Gail, Solomon Browne, and thousands more over the years. Tom