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Lost At Sea

The ship was atoss on the ungallant sea
The swells took a toll as the hull strained and cracked
It would be fair time afore it sought the lee
With the slams and the pitching the ship could be wracked.

The foc'sle went down, the stern rose on high
And in the next instant the ship yawed aside
The water rushed in torrents, the Bo'sun heaved a sigh
If the hatches gave way, then woe betide.

The men on the watch were tied to their posts
The lookouts puked blood, the buckets were filled
They stood out limned as outworldly ghosts
Clamping teeth with their might, their bones fully chilled.

The wind was a-roaring, it blew off the 'rafts
The riggings danced  the stays started steaming
The boats in the davits went banging abaft
The klaxons went wild as they started their screaming.

"Abandon ship" blared the hailer as the Cap stood on the bridge
And soon was heard a sound that all hoped never to hear
A tearing, a snap, a boom, for gone was the ridge
Of the keel gave up it's struggle unable to bear.

The Cap stood his post as his men jumped overboard
Wrote in his log in indelible ink
Today I commend these lost souls unto thee my Lord
At this lat and this long did my doughty ship sink.

Thus ends my tale of those souls lost at sea
Not uncommon to those whose sea-legs are firm
For a tough life's their lot unlike the land lubbery
I've denied Davy Jone's Locker, I have served my full term.

~04 Jun 2016~

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016




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Date: 6/4/2016 7:22:00 AM
Such a vivid descriptive tale you told Karam - I live on a little Island so I love reading poems about the sea:-) hugs Jan xx
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Allison Avatar
Jan Allison
Date: 6/4/2016 10:19:00 AM
I wish it was a sun kissed Island but we are part of the British Isles and the weather is not tropical at all... but we do have beautiful scenery :-) hugs Jan xx
Misra Avatar
Karam Misra
Date: 6/4/2016 8:27:00 AM
Oh, to live on a sun-kissed, wave-lapped island with balmy breezes! As a kid (even as a grown-up) I always lived by the sea. Even my profession was associated with the sea. And John Masefield's poem is a constant refrain. Jack London's Sea Wolf, Swiss Family Robinson, Stevenson, Herman Melville, Wilbur Smith, the list is endless, was staple diet for me. Thank you for appreciating, Jan. And may your isle be a haven, always! ~karam~
Date: 6/4/2016 7:19:00 AM
Karam, you recount this tale with descriptive and imaginative ability, as seen through the eyes of a survivor. Very much enjoyed! Regards // paul
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Misra Avatar
Karam Misra
Date: 6/4/2016 8:20:00 AM
Thank you, Paul. Been through some rough gut-wrenching times while sailing on ships. The sea isn't always serene - it could be real nasty at times. ~karam~

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