The Skeleton Coast

Morning fog was parting  for the day's performance,
and an audience of just me sat cross legged,
waiting for ghosts.
They appeared slowly, one by one.
Old whalers, freighters and, fifty yards out, 
slate grey bones scarred with burnt sienna,
a young trawler.
A Cormorant dried its wings on the wheelhouse,
primary feathers spread, glistening ebony,
tattered like a tramp's raincoat.
The surf  whispered warnings.

February 4th 2016

For contest 'The Sea shore' sponsor- Craig Cornish
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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A   Avatar
February 13, 2016 at 5:40 PM
I'm glad you love the hat VIV, I too love your hat ;) Happy Valentines to you..... XOX ~Love LINDA~
Jerden Avatar
February 12, 2016 at 9:53 PM
Great title! Really caught the attention. Loved the pictures you painted in my mind, and the related wonderings, too. Congratulations!
Wigley Avatar
February 13, 2016 at 2:09 AM
Thanks, Roy, glad you liked it. Regards, Viv
Crisci Avatar
February 12, 2016 at 9:41 AM
Greetings,Viv. I love the vivid imagery of your verses. I can imagine you sitting by the seashore on an early foggy morning, and watch the shipyard of old whalers while waiting for ghosts to appear. Thank you for your comment, it was very appreciated. England has always fascinated me with its history, castles and landscapes. I wish you success in your writing endeavors. Have a terrific weekend. Peace & Love, Andrew.
Wigley Avatar
February 13, 2016 at 2:11 AM
Thanks for the kind comments, Andrew. Many have come to grief along the coast, the fog is the enemy, and the surf is so strong even rescue boats have come to grief in the past. Spooky place. Regards, Viv
A   Avatar
February 11, 2016 at 10:09 PM
Viv, Congrats on your "Sea Shore win." LINDA
Wigley Avatar
February 13, 2016 at 2:11 AM
Thanks, Linda, I'm loving the hat. Viv x
Leiser Avatar
February 11, 2016 at 6:00 PM
Congrats on your awesome win, Viv! Absolutely brilliant :)
Wigley Avatar
February 13, 2016 at 2:11 AM
Thanks Laura, have a lovely Valentine's day. Viv x
A. Sharma Avatar
February 11, 2016 at 4:15 AM
Congrats on ur awesome winning write Viv.. exquisite work..
Marcum Wong Avatar
February 11, 2016 at 2:08 AM
I still say yours is better Viv. I love the vivid imagery in your entry. Congratulations on your win. Cheers, Connie
Gentry Avatar
February 10, 2016 at 8:55 PM
Congratulations on your win!
Wigley Avatar
February 10, 2016 at 11:02 PM
Thanks, Susan, very kind of you. Viv x
Parker Avatar
February 10, 2016 at 6:14 PM
Congratulation on your win,I could smell the sea with this poem and as one who spent time in the navy I know what the sea smells like.
Wigley Avatar
February 10, 2016 at 11:05 PM
From a seasoned old salt as yourself, I take that as a huge complement. Thanks, Frederic. Regards, Viv
Scars Avatar
February 10, 2016 at 4:50 PM
viv, congrats on your placement in the contest!! *smiles* -luloo
Wigley Avatar
February 10, 2016 at 11:05 PM
Thanking you, Laura Loo , Viv x
Haight Avatar
February 10, 2016 at 4:42 PM
Amazing imagery, Viv. Congratulations on your fine win. Sandra
Wigley Avatar
February 10, 2016 at 11:06 PM
Thanks Sandra, on mornings such as this now here in England I wish I was sitting there right now. Viv x
Callus Avatar
February 10, 2016 at 3:51 PM
This is really good, Viv; great imagery and an eerie enveloping atmosphere. Congrats on a very deserved win! ~ Regards // paul
Wigley Avatar
February 10, 2016 at 11:06 PM
Thanks Paul, for dropping by, will be visiting your latest soon, I get to play catch-up at the weekend. Wherre is the time going? Regards, Viv
Holmes Avatar
February 8, 2016 at 5:02 PM
Nice write Viv and a belated happy new year! P.S....how do you send someone an email on this site...I know how to reply but not how to generate one...cheers Peter.
Wigley Avatar
February 8, 2016 at 10:34 PM
Thanks for dropping by, Peter. For sending Soupmail, click on the poet's name below their picture and on their profile page you'll see a little envelope with a soup bowl on it. Click on that. Regards, Viv
Lindley Avatar
February 8, 2016 at 7:58 AM
Exceptional free verse my friend. Fog , that veil that hides so much , yields to the bright sun. Namibia must be a ghostly place with so many shipwrecks. A7
Marcum Wong Avatar
February 7, 2016 at 4:47 AM
This is so good Viv. I think you may have just buried my entry with this one. Talent seeps out of your pores my friend. #7
Wigley Avatar
February 7, 2016 at 11:27 AM
Nah. See my comment on yours, Connie x
Inman Avatar
February 5, 2016 at 10:59 PM
This is great, Viv. Wonderful imagery.
Wigley Avatar
February 7, 2016 at 1:14 AM
snapshot, even. Darn keyboard.
Wigley Avatar
February 7, 2016 at 1:13 AM
Thanks, James, a tiny snaphot of an eerie place. regards, Viv
Nunez Avatar
February 4, 2016 at 11:17 AM
Spectacular imagery, Viv. You took me there... All the best! :-)
Wigley Avatar
February 4, 2016 at 11:04 PM
I sat on the beach on the skeleton coast in Namibia one morning, looking out over one of the wrecks that scatter the area. A beautiful, peaceful but spooky place. To be honest, Kim, ifmy Lotto numbers came up tomorrow, I'd up sticks and live there. Viv x
Beaufort Avatar
February 4, 2016 at 6:57 AM
Fog is such a metaphor. I get the idea from many of your works that you like to watch these scenes or at least imagine them. You have the heart of a "tree hugger"!!!
Wigley Avatar
February 4, 2016 at 11:14 PM
Thanks, Duke, I'm not quite a tree hugger, or though I've been told sometimes I'm barking. I spent some time in Namibia that included a few days at Swakopmund, on the Atlantic coast. A dawn ride to Walvis bay gave us chance to stop and see the ghosts,
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