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The Lifeboat Man

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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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Sotto Poet

Date: 9/3/2022 4:57:00 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
Date: 9/19/2022 11:51:00 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

Date: 9/3/2022 1:44:00 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
Date: 9/3/2022 1:52:00 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

Date: 9/29/2021 7:33:00 PM

Trawling your older posts, i found this gem, love your affinity with these very brave lifeguards.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/30/2021 12:31:00 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

Date: 9/8/2021 5:42:00 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
Date: 9/8/2021 6:17:00 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

Date: 9/2/2021 3:40:00 AM

You captured the adventure and emotion in this wonderful write! Love it!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/2/2021 3:56:00 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

Date: 3/15/2018 8:41:00 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
Date: 3/15/2018 9:09:00 AM

Thank you Jack, most of them are volunteers as well. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 2/25/2018 6:09:00 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
Date: 2/25/2018 6:34:00 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

Date: 1/16/2018 10:45:00 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
Date: 1/16/2018 12:24:00 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

Date: 12/15/2017 1:06:00 AM

Another well told story. I have enjoyed your poems this evening.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/15/2017 3:02:00 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

Date: 11/30/2017 1:56:00 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
Date: 11/30/2017 2:24:00 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

Date: 11/25/2017 7:32:00 PM

Tom, this is an awesome story in perfect rhyme. Is it a true story?

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/25/2017 10:26:00 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.