Lee Etheridge Poet Free verse

Hark

Hark

The captain spoke to the sick and starving
As he bobbled on the bow
And began
We will go there
Pointing his crooked finger as his dark, salty body dropped 
But with each upsurge he made another point
You are here because you got lost
I'm here to take you home
Down surge
I'm not sure we will make it
Upsurge
But you have strong oars made of Spanish mahogany one at a time
Down surge
Some of you are weaker and will think of dying
Upsurge
Others will pick you up because you are worthy of love
Down surge
Your stomachs are full of toxic blubber meat
Upsurge
You will endure for the purpose of Her
hug at port, wet and tired and lost
Down surge
You will not endure if you are proud
Upsurge
Down surge
And just his eyes. 
Only sounds of orphaned oars and flapping sails and rusty rudders. 

Two whales appear, each pick a side. 
Guiding, with twin wakes, and moving the boys toward there
Upsurge
Down surge
The whales were moving them there. 
Screaming to their distant loved ones
I'll be home soon

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Lee Etheridge March 26, 2023 at 10:23 PM One thought I had here was how nature (the whales) takes care of us even while they sacrifice and “scream” (like whales almost like they are explaining taking care of us). I love that they forgive us and would help us like this.

Reason A. Poteet August 5, 2022 at 6:26 AM Cooper, this one reminds me of a bible passage where travelers on ship to Rome took Paul to trial before Caesar Nero. He promised they would crash if they stayed in the boat but without loss of life. Leery sailors were secretly making a lifeboat, ready to go overboard in the storm. Whales would have gotten them had Paul not stopped them. Your delightful piece registers with me, believer that God will deliver in trying times. Love the Up surge, Down surge lines. Powerful! along with the title.

Paula Goldsmith July 23, 2022 at 2:18 PM I enjoyed reading your "Hark." What a story/write. Have a blessed day................ Lee Etheridge July 24, 2022 at 12:10 AM Thanks, Paula.

Chinedum Ekwobi July 23, 2022 at 6:10 AM Hark is a wonderfully wrought poem about A Captain Pessimistic Optimist or maybe Optimistic Pessimist on voyagers' survival chances. Really, The Poem's long lines alternating with short ones neatly deliver the two possibilities of Life or Death. Lee Etheridge July 24, 2022 at 12:11 AM Great help and read. Yes I felt like that. Gone and here again.

Andrew John July 21, 2022 at 3:14 AM Up and down, up and down, up and down. I'm really enjoying reading this poem (mind you, I'm getting a little dizzy now!). Thanks, Cooper. Lee Etheridge July 24, 2022 at 12:12 AM Dramamine. But the whales got them there.

Daniel De Culla July 20, 2022 at 10:46 PM i ENJOYED IT. Lee Etheridge July 24, 2022 at 12:12 AM Thanks

Bill Baker July 20, 2022 at 3:59 PM A wonderful poem of hope and reality, Cooper. I enjoyed the read. A poet friend in Texas, Bill Lee Etheridge July 24, 2022 at 12:13 AM Thanks, Bill. It’s a journey and I’m happy you read it.

Anne E Sangster - K July 20, 2022 at 3:39 PM Another wonderfully creative free verse Cooper. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your "Hark" Cheers Anne :-) Lee Etheridge July 24, 2022 at 12:14 AM Thanks, Anne. You are a true encourager.

James Marshall Goff July 20, 2022 at 1:49 PM Welcome Cooper, your ink is fresh! Lee Etheridge July 24, 2022 at 12:14 AM Ha. Thank you.

Beryl Edmonds July 20, 2022 at 1:43 PM A very good story in free verse poetry Cooper. Write on… Belle Lee Etheridge July 24, 2022 at 12:15 AM It’s a struggle to get it done. You’ve helped. Thank you

Linda Alice Fowler July 20, 2022 at 1:20 PM Another awesome write Cooper! Many thanks for sharing your gift! Linda Lee Etheridge July 24, 2022 at 12:16 AM Thanks, Linda. I appreciate your encouragement.