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For the Fisher King On His Golden Jubilee

Listen to poem:

O’ friend! Son of this realm your native land
  and Knight of the Long Bay on the long shore -
Fisher King to its isle and rock and sand
  where long ago we drank and gazed The Tor.
And I echo back to that flickered light
  when the fires of youth burned in you and me -
your joust a friendly repulse to my smite
  in our sometime world of headfu-ckery!
Truly we are each to each older bound
  so stoke the fires that blaze up on the Firth -
think on its mortal flame, its living sound
  how one day it shall perish from the Earth.
O Captain! My Captain! I say to you
the mind is still young and the heart is true.


               Written: June 2010

         For CB on his 50th Birthday


Note: The Tor (pictured) is a rocky outcrop
         in the East Coast Bays on the northern 
         beaches of Auckland, New Zealand.

         Captain is a reference from a Walt 
         Whitman line. It was an epithet CB
         would often jokingly refer to me as.

Copyright © Keith D Trestrail | Year Posted 2024

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Hilda Greenhough Date: 2/8/2025 3:25:00 PM This is a cool poem to a friend. A story of past youthful freedom and happy travels gives a sense nostalgic yearnings. This is deep and heartwarming. Login to Reply Keith D Trestrail Date: 2/8/2025 10:17:00 PM Hi Hilda, it’s nostalgic alright. Thanks for stopping by.

Duke Beaufort Date: 11/29/2024 7:34:00 AM Sounds like you have a strong friend Keith. That's nice...especially since our individual time frame passes quickly. Login to Reply

Tom Woody Date: 11/28/2024 11:46:00 AM This has a medieval feel to it. I like it! Login to Reply Keith D Trestrail Date: 11/29/2024 4:23:00 AM Yep, has its roots in an Arthurian legend.

Michael Tor Date: 11/28/2024 6:08:00 AM Keith that was commendable that you wrote this inspirational piece for for CB for his birthday. I am sure it brought back memories for him. A good friend you are to this friend of yours. Thank you for sharing this special sonnet reflecting Tor and special memories you both shared. Such a lovely area. I was wondering about his reaction when he saw this dedication to his birthday? What a nice gift of this sonnet he received on his 50 the birthday personalized just for him. I am sure he appreciated Login to Reply Michael Tor Date: 11/30/2024 5:21:00 PM Keith so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend CB. At least you brought him joy to read your poetry of your friendship. My condolences to you Keith... Keith D Trestrail Date: 11/29/2024 4:19:00 AM Unfortunately CB passed away a few years ago. Cheers MT. Michael Tor Date: 11/28/2024 6:09:00 AM this effort from you. How special is that? Thank you for sharing and re posting. Have a great day my friend...