Tom Cunningham Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

Image credit - Northern -Scot .co.uk

 

The Lifeboat Man

It was two in the morning when I heard the beep
And jumped out of bed because I couldn't sleep
I got dressed In two minutes then got into my car 
Then drove to the harbour which wasn't very far. 

Because of my speed the camera flashed me
The court would be lenient, it was an emergency
I parked up at the station, Bill was there too
Only three more to come to complete the crew.

We got the boat ready and opened the door
John, Pete and Jane arrived we needed no more
We all got on aboard and slid down the ramp
Conditions were misty, cold wet and damp.

The local coastguard had received an S.O.S
From a sinking fishing boat ,'The Queenie Bess'
We searched for an hour but we couldn't see
Their radio was down, there could be tragedy.

About three nautical miles out a flare I did see
We headed full speed for the location rapidly
Bill called control "this is call sign nine blue
We're at the boat now and have saved the crew".

Thankfully this night there is no one dead
We're heading for home now; ready for bed
A satisfying nights work, we're all happy
We're the unsung heroes of the perilous sea.

But the R.N.L.I is a registered charity
It relies on donations from you and me
Be generous and support the work that they do
Who knows one day that 'work' could be you.


Written 12th November 2017

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Charles Messina April 4, 2026 at 11:29 AM So, you have always been a great storyteller, Tom. The thing I love about your poetry is that there is usually a lesson to be learned. Happy Easter to you and your family. Charlie Tom Cunningham April 4, 2026 at 12:53 PM Thank-you Charlie Oi have nothing but admiration for the lifeboat crews who risk their lives to save others, and they're all volunteers too. Have a lovely Easter weekend. Tom

Sotto Poet September 3, 2022 at 4:57 PM It sounds like it must be something that is comparable to the Coast Guard that we have in the United States. Tom, I just happened to come upon the second post you've ever made on this forum. When I was reading over some of your older postings, I came across this gem, and I appreciate your connection to these courageous lifeguards. Tom Cunningham September 19, 2022 at 11:51 PM Thank you very much Lasaad, sorry for late response, all volunteers who risk their lives to save others and many have lost their own lives in doing so. The sea can be a very hostile environment when storms are raging. Tom

Valsa George September 3, 2022 at 1:44 AM You have been a story teller from the very beginning, I understand ! What a great deed in the middle of the night ! The satisfaction you derived in saving the drowning men supercedes all the pain and hardship you undertook. Tom Cunningham September 3, 2022 at 1:52 AM Thank you Valsa, I was on holiday and could see the lifeboat station and it was the inspiration for this one, there has been disasters too, the lifeboat crew of the Solomon Browne perished in their efforts to save lives. They were all brave unpaid volunteers. Tom

Harry Horsman September 29, 2021 at 7:33 PM Trawling your older posts, i found this gem, love your affinity with these very brave lifeguards. Tom Cunningham September 30, 2021 at 12:31 AM Thank you very much Harry, I was staying in Tenby once and could see the lifeboat station and thought about the work that they do, an amazing bunch of men and women who are all unpaid volunteers. Tom

Sara Kendrick September 8, 2021 at 5:42 AM I felt the emotion, anxiety, and the need to rush out the door. It is good that the crew was saved that day. I don't know if this is based on your life or if you wrote it from hearing someone else's story or a movie watched but it seems like you were there. Thanks for the visits to my page. Sara Tom Cunningham September 8, 2021 at 6:17 AM Thanks Sara, it was a fictional write but inspired by true stories I've read about, all crew members of the RNLI are unpaid volunteers. Tom

Kim Rodrigues September 2, 2021 at 3:40 AM You captured the adventure and emotion in this wonderful write! Love it! Tom Cunningham September 2, 2021 at 3:56 AM Thank you very much Kim, I was in Tenby on holiday once and I could see the lifeboat station and it inspired me, they're all volunteers and often put themselves at risk to save others. Tom

Jack Ellison March 15, 2018 at 8:41 AM A great dedication to an amazing bunch of caring and honorable citizens! They NEED to be honored for what they do!!! GREAT TRIBUTE SIR TOM!!! Cheers, Happy Jack!!! Tom Cunningham March 15, 2018 at 9:09 AM Thank you Jack, most of them are volunteers as well. Tom

Andrea Dietrich February 25, 2018 at 6:09 PM It sounds like it must be something similar to our Coast Guard in America? WEll despicted, Tom, and now I have seen the second post you ever made here! Tom Cunningham February 25, 2018 at 6:34 PM Thanks very much Andrea, I'm so glad I stumbled across this group, when I was looking for a poetry website, it has really opened my eyes to all the different forms of poetry that exist, I wish there were more hours in the day, but I look in when I can and try and read as many poems as time allows.There are so many brilliant poets on here and all have their own individual styles.I can honestly say I'm proud to be part of it. Tom

Jan Allison January 16, 2018 at 10:45 AM A poem very close to my heart as the RLNI was started as a result of shipwrecks around the Isle of Man. It's the one charity we support annually:-) http://www.bbc.co.uk/isleofman/content/articles/2009/10/09/rnli_feature.shtml :-) hugs Jan xx Tom Cunningham January 16, 2018 at 12:24 PM Jan, I was on holiday in Temby and woke up early one morning. I could see the lifeboat station and got thinking about the very important work that they do, and of course they're all volunteers both men and women. Regards Tom.

Richard Lamoureux December 15, 2017 at 1:06 AM Another well told story. I have enjoyed your poems this evening. Tom Cunningham December 15, 2017 at 3:02 AM Thanks Richard ,It made me realise that there are some really good people in this world, giving up their time to help others. Regards Tom.

Donald Lee November 30, 2017 at 1:56 PM I really enjoy the progression in your poems. The story is always clear and concise and you find a way to insert a message of hope and positivity in poems about bad situations. I really enjoy your work. Well done! Tom Cunningham November 30, 2017 at 2:24 PM Donald, Thank you for your kind words.I've only just started doing them and I've found it is something I enjoy doing. Hopefully I'll get better as I go along.Glad you've enjoyed them. Regards Tom

Rhoda Tripp November 25, 2017 at 7:32 PM Tom, this is an awesome story in perfect rhyme. Is it a true story? Tom Cunningham November 25, 2017 at 10:26 PM Thanks Rhoda, No it was not, but watching a series on the life boats made me want to pay tribute to the brave men and women of the R.N.L.I who risk their lives to help save others. Regards Tom.