The Perfect Ending

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In the movie “The Perfect Storm,” Captain Billy Tyne’s ship, the “Andrea Gail,” was capsized by an enormous wave and all six crew members were killed.  The true story with full details on their deaths will likely never be known.  Captain Greenlaw, from whose perspective this sonnet is written, gave an emotional eulogy at the funeral for the Andrea Gail’s crew in Gloucester, Massachusetts.  She had made unsuccessful attempts to get Captain Tyne to turn around as the tragedy unfolded.  A high-pressure system, low-pressure system and Hurricane Grace converged in the Atlantic to form “The Perfect Storm.”

When fate’s hands joined together, pounding seas
A monstrous storm placed fishing boats at risk
I called to Billy, “Captain, listen please,
Turn ‘round, the seas are high and wind too brisk”

With six aboard who prayed they’d make it back
Tyne’s ship was seven hundred miles offshore
From Gloucester, Mass, where they’d begun their track
Much farther out than they had sailed before

October 28th I’d been at sea
But safe in Nova Scotia I then docked
The fate of Billy’s boat I could foresee
And rescue efforts we tried to concoct

With life jackets, the men were found adrift
And to safe harbor we gave them a lift




* Written December 11, 2018
For the “Movie Magic” Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Gregory R. Barden
Written from the perspective of Linda Greenlaw, Captain of the fishing boat “Hannah,” to provide a new ending to the movie “The Perfect Storm.”

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018



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Date: 3/21/2019 8:53:00 PM
Love the book and movie. A crazy storm system. Glad they are safe in yours. Congrats!
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Date: 3/21/2019 9:33:00 AM
Who couldn't hope and pray with the crew in that movie that they would somehow be saved, even though aware of the outcome. A movie that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Wonderfully portrayed Carolyn. Congratulations on your second placement! : ) xxoo
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Date: 3/21/2019 8:38:00 AM
I like how you ending your beautiful sonnet Carolyn...Congrats on your win..
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Date: 12/18/2018 10:37:00 AM
Lord God! This has excited me to my soul... My spirit dances like a redeemed bastard with your lines... Keep on writing dear friend.
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Date: 12/15/2018 3:51:00 PM
Hi Carolyn, this is such an excellent sonnet, based upon the theme. As has been said before, I really like the ending you have given to this piece. The sea can be a terrible mistress. This is an excellent read and I hope it does well for you in the contest. Have a wonderful Saturday. Hugs....Mike. XX
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Date: 12/14/2018 10:40:00 PM
I remember seeing that movie and I kept hoping they would all get through it. I like your ending better. It was so sad. The captain was too stubborn to listen to their pleas. Best for a win with this new ending. : ) xxoo
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Date: 12/13/2018 8:18:00 PM
I still don't know what the heck i will do for this challenge.
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/14/2018 12:46:00 PM
That's because you have so many movies from which to choose, Andrea. One of the hundreds you've seen in the last few years alone will provide inspiration.
Date: 12/13/2018 8:18:00 PM
Wonderful new ending you gave it, sweetie!! I saw this movie but the details are fuzzy for me except the moment the storm swallowed them up That was quite a scene!!!
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/14/2018 12:47:00 PM
How different things would have been for their families if the men had lived to convey their struggle to survive. I think I would have liked that movie even better.
Date: 12/13/2018 11:20:00 AM
A wonderful write Carolyn, beautifully described. The ocean is not to be taken lightly - it can incur such fear and brings disaster to those at sea as well as on land! Good luck in the contest! Hugs and love, Jennifer
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/13/2018 12:24:00 PM
How well I know the dangers, having had to steer my boat through storms at night. Thanks for reading, Jennifer
Date: 12/13/2018 7:57:00 AM
Carolyn, beautifully penned about that tragic incident made into a movie. I loved your poem and wish you luck in the contest but this is a winner to me.
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/13/2018 4:27:00 PM
Thanks, my friend. I have seen this movie many times, always wishing it had ended differently.
Date: 12/12/2018 5:49:00 PM
Wow, your poem, really brings the subject matter home to me, Carolyn, my great grandfather, being a trawlerman died at sea, lost in a storm, in Icelandic waters in 1907. The poetry is superb, Harry
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/13/2018 12:36:00 PM
Harry, I'm sorry your great grandfather was lost that way. Even though it happened more than a century ago, his legacy appears to have been kept alive in your family. Thanks for reading and letting me know how you could relate to this topic.
Date: 12/12/2018 12:54:00 PM
Your poem is wonderful and vividly brought those final movie moments back to me. Oh, they were sad moments that I carried for many days, hard to shake. A great write, Carolyn - I haven't read about the contest, but you nailed the 'highlight feelings' of that movie, that true event and loss. Poetry hugs ... CayCay
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/12/2018 1:48:00 PM
It was a movie based on a real event, so that made the ending far more devastating. Thanks for reading, CayCay.
Date: 12/12/2018 8:53:00 AM
A very tragic occurrence which you tackled with such a capable poetic pen, Carolyn. Thank you for the info which is all new to me. Hugs // paul
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/12/2018 9:09:00 AM
The Perfect Storm is probably my all-time favorite movie, Paul. If you get a chance to see it, you're in for quite a ride. Action-packed!
Date: 12/12/2018 8:11:00 AM
Perfect Carolyn I loved it, good luck my friend!
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Date: 12/12/2018 7:39:00 AM
Who's to say what should and shouldn't have been done...in a perfect storm...if you're in the wrong place...even life jackets become a funeral gown....A wonder account...All the best Carolyn
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/12/2018 7:55:00 AM
The contest required us to come up with a twist in the plot of the movie, placing ourselves in one character's role. The movie made Capt. Tyne look restless and his family became angry after its release.
Date: 12/12/2018 7:36:00 AM
Absolutely beautiful, so well written my friend. This had everything and took the reader into those stormy seas to witness this storm and the sad fate of the crew. What an amazing piece of writing.
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/12/2018 7:47:00 AM
The Perfect Storm is one of two movies I took with me out to sea to play on the TV in the cabin at night. The other was Jaws. It's amazing anyone wanted to sail with me a second time...
Date: 12/12/2018 7:33:00 AM
Loved the movie and your interpretation. Have a beautiful Christmas Carolyn
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Date: 12/12/2018 7:31:00 AM
Captain Greenlaw certainly saw the danger unfolding..a sad ending it was to that story. But your Sonnet has a happy ending..apt for the holiday season. Well written poem..best for a win, Carolyn.
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/12/2018 1:50:00 PM
When I saw the contest required us to change a movie outcome, this horrible event came to mind immediately, Vijay. If only those men had truly been saved.
Date: 12/12/2018 7:23:00 AM
Ey ey captain...A beautiful poem, Carolyn! Sorry I've been busy at work lately of kind of MIA for a bit. Great imagery and very well done dear friend. Have a wonderful day...love, Charlie
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 12/12/2018 7:40:00 AM
Thanks for the visit, Charlie. Lots of people are very busy this time of year. Some friends complained commenting had gone down, but I assured them it was just related to the approach of Christmas. Hope you make yours Merry! Will visit your page now.
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