Merchant Ship

A swallow swoops for flitting flies
While Johnny rubs exhausted eyes
(As morning clasps the rising sun)
Confirming Captain’s day’s begun:
Slow streams emerge from melting snows -
The Merchant Ship’s in stark repose...

As Johnny frets with tingling tongue
A Vulture fleeces fields far-flung
 (Beneath a bleeding sun above),
And Captain culls the dead with love:
Yes, while the silent water flows,
The Merchant Ship just gulps and grows...

A serpent weaves amongst the weeds
As Johnny dares audacious deeds
(When evening drains the dying day)
To stop the Captain, come what may:
And while the raging rivers grow
The Merchant Ship rocks to and fro...

An owl, a’ branch, has teacup eyes
That glimmer dark as Johnny dies
(Now sown inside the future’s womb)
When flushing Captain to his doom:
Trapped in titanic undertow
The Merchant Ship’s swept down below...

A fledgling bird sprays morning dew
As Johnny Junior’s born anew
(He’s baptised in the dawn ablaze)
To rectify the former days: 
Raw rills arise from melting snow
And virgin rivers start to flow...
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Cavanaugh Avatar
November 24, 2012 at 2:12 PM
I love the meter, rhyme, and flow of this beautiful poem. Great job.
Duncan Avatar
August 28, 2012 at 12:44 AM
awesome write ,, I was playing Captain Jack on board game about a week ago ;}
Collins Avatar
August 26, 2012 at 10:45 AM
Terry - another brilliant one. I loved reading the parentheses together, a poem within a poem. love, Kathy
Johnson Avatar
August 22, 2012 at 4:01 PM
it really flows this poetry of yours... love it mate.... the styx triggered a memory with me so the words flow ...so i type on the puter...
Cox Avatar
August 22, 2012 at 7:12 AM
excellent tale, i really enjoyed this nice piece thank you for sharing
Ryerson Avatar
August 21, 2012 at 4:44 PM
Fantastic tale you have told here, Terry...the meter and rhythm flow with ease...Great job! - Tim
Vresk Avatar
August 21, 2012 at 9:22 AM
Thank you Terry for this beautifully written story,I have enjoyed every word in it,and thank you for stopping by,Ivy
Mac Donald Avatar
August 19, 2012 at 5:47 AM
A captivating ballad, Terry! The story and images flow perfectly with the rhythm here. Enthalled by this superior write. Best wishes, Mikki
Bauer Avatar
August 16, 2012 at 4:46 PM
the rhythm and rhyme of this poem are so perfect it was an absolute pleasure to read! thank you for a brilliantly written tale!
Horsman Avatar
August 16, 2012 at 7:13 AM
love the Title here also, Terry, as this wonderful poem, flows along with such rhythmic fervour,, those last two lines in the last stanza, to me are classics..
Grisetti Avatar
August 16, 2012 at 6:58 AM
Very captivating ballad.
Andresen Avatar
August 16, 2012 at 6:24 AM
Terry, you have written a golden gem - very, very good poem - Thank you for sharing this. - oxox // Anne-Lise (+10)
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
August 16, 2012 at 5:27 AM
Where do you get it all from, I'll have a drop if whatever it is , another wonderful write dear boy xx
Williams Avatar
August 16, 2012 at 2:51 AM
Terry, I love this , but it's more like a ballad, still love it though...David
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