Anne-Lise Andresen Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

07.08.2024

Anne-Lise Andresen
Copyright © All Rights Reserved

- The Killick Holds -

  The calendar showed January 1899,
  there were only a few hours of real daylight
  He set out in his poor man's boat, early dawn
  Snow and ice did not melt until mid-May
  The cold bit his face and hands,
  he had to try to obtain some food on the table
  All they had was flatbread, 
  oats and water porridge

  A sudden storm forced him to seek shelter
  He had to be master of his own destiny
  Strong east wind
  prevented him from going ashore
  The best possibility was to anchor
  in a cove sheltered from the wind
  Grandfather's killick saved him 
  from drowning that day

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Reason A. Poteet August 21, 2025 at 5:50 AM Anne-Lise, the pic adds so much to understanding your piece. Great story clearly delineating what a killick is; only limited by the host's stanza requirement. I'm sure you have more details that could have been added. Thanks for telling your story well.

David Crandall August 9, 2025 at 9:18 AM Great story - in some times and places, day to day life, and just obtaining food involved heroics!

Evelyn Judy Buehler August 8, 2025 at 8:40 PM Your story is grpping, Anne-Lise. I'm glad it had a happy outcome. Fascinating! :)

Michelle Mac Donald August 8, 2025 at 12:37 PM An intriguing story. Feels sadly hopeless, however the ending gives it bright, airy windows and a safe door out. Enjoyed this write ! Thank you for sharing, Anne-Lise!

Kim Rodrigues August 8, 2025 at 11:28 AM Enjoyed! …All they had was flatbread, oats and water porridge…The killick was the anchor in the storm.

Joseph P. DiMino August 8, 2025 at 8:25 AM Lots of knowledge came before us, those great anchors of old worth holding on to, and often revisiting. Brilliant story. Love it! My Great grandfather, captain of a sail ship went down with his ship in a storm.

Frederic Parker August 8, 2025 at 5:11 AM You painted life, dear poet, and its struggles, especially with the sea, glad he made it, or you might not be here today creating poetry...Frederic Anne-Lise Andresen August 8, 2025 at 5:18 AM - Not my life ... I wasn't born in 1899, Frederic :))) - Thank you very much for your comment :) - hugs

Sotto Poet August 8, 2025 at 3:55 AM Gorgeous and intriguing, Anne-Lise, you have vividly depicted this historical event. I could sense the frigid gusts of wind, the impending threat of the tempest, and the silent fortitude required for perseverance. Anne-Lise Andresen August 8, 2025 at 5:20 AM - At that time it was their everyday life ... on life and death - Thank you very much for your comment, Las :) - hugs

Arthur Vaso August 8, 2025 at 1:43 AM beautiful, but now I a curious, did he make it? :) Anne-Lise Andresen August 8, 2025 at 1:58 AM - "Grandfather's killick saved him from drowning that day" yes, he survived... but didn't catch any fish, Arthur :) - hugs

Rowena Velasco August 7, 2025 at 6:57 PM Vivid and atmospheric, Anne-Lise—you’ve brought this moment in time to life so clearly. I could feel the icy wind, the danger of the storm, and the quiet resilience of survival. Anne-Lise Andresen August 8, 2025 at 2:01 AM - That's how they lived at that time in Norway ... many ended their lives at sea to provide food for their families ... it was a tough time along the coast, Rowena - hugs

sara Etgen-Baker August 7, 2025 at 5:08 PM thanks for sharing this story via your poem. It was engaging and encouraging...great contest entry, wishing you a great evening, hugs. Sara Anne-Lise Andresen August 8, 2025 at 2:04 AM - Poverty drove them out to sea in all kinds of weather... the luckiest came home... but many drowned, Sara - hugs

Connie Pachecho August 7, 2025 at 2:58 PM Anne-Lise, I would guess Norway. Ja? Anne-Lise Andresen August 8, 2025 at 1:56 AM - A story from Norwegian conditions from that time, they were poor and depended on getting fish from the sea - Fish and potatoes were the most important food source, Connie :) - hugs