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The Skeleton Coast

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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

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Poet Destroyer A

Date: 2/13/2016 5:40:00 PM

I'm glad you love the hat VIV, I too love your hat ;) Happy Valentines to you..... XOX ~Love LINDA~

Roy Jerden

Date: 2/12/2016 9:53:00 PM

Great title! Really caught the attention. Loved the pictures you painted in my mind, and the related wonderings, too. Congratulations!

Viv Wigley
Date: 2/13/2016 2:09:00 AM

Thanks, Roy, glad you liked it. Regards, Viv

Andrew Crisci

Date: 2/12/2016 9:41:00 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.

Viv Wigley
Date: 2/13/2016 2:11:00 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

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 2/11/2016 10:09:00 PM

Viv, Congrats on your "Sea Shore win." LINDA

Viv Wigley
Date: 2/13/2016 2:11:00 AM

Thanks, Linda, I'm loving the hat. Viv x

Laura Leiser

Date: 2/11/2016 6:00:00 PM

Congrats on your awesome win, Viv! Absolutely brilliant :)

Viv Wigley
Date: 2/13/2016 2:11:00 AM

Thanks Laura, have a lovely Valentine's day. Viv x

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 2/11/2016 4:15:00 AM

Congrats on ur awesome winning write Viv.. exquisite work..

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 2/11/2016 2:08:00 AM

I still say yours is better Viv. I love the vivid imagery in your entry. Congratulations on your win. Cheers, Connie

Susan Gentry

Date: 2/10/2016 8:55:00 PM

Congratulations on your win!

Viv Wigley
Date: 2/10/2016 11:02:00 PM

Thanks, Susan, very kind of you. Viv x

Frederic Parker

Date: 2/10/2016 6:14:00 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.

Viv Wigley
Date: 2/10/2016 11:05:00 PM

From a seasoned old salt as yourself, I take that as a huge complement. Thanks, Frederic. Regards, Viv

Lu Loo

Date: 2/10/2016 4:50:00 PM

viv, congrats on your placement in the contest!! *smiles* -luloo

Viv Wigley
Date: 2/10/2016 11:05:00 PM

Thanking you, Laura Loo , Viv x

Sandra Haight

Date: 2/10/2016 4:42:00 PM

Amazing imagery, Viv. Congratulations on your fine win. Sandra

Viv Wigley
Date: 2/10/2016 11:06:00 PM

Thanks Sandra, on mornings such as this now here in England I wish I was sitting there right now. Viv x

Paul Callus

Date: 2/10/2016 3:51:00 PM

This is really good, Viv; great imagery and an eerie enveloping atmosphere. Congrats on a very deserved win! ~ Regards // paul

Viv Wigley
Date: 2/10/2016 11:06:00 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

Peter Lewis Holmes

Date: 2/8/2016 5:02:00 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.

Viv Wigley
Date: 2/8/2016 10:34:00 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

Robert Lindley

Date: 2/8/2016 7:58:00 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

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 2/7/2016 4:47:00 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

Viv Wigley
Date: 2/7/2016 11:27:00 AM

Nah. See my comment on yours, Connie x

James Inman

Date: 2/5/2016 10:59:00 PM

This is great, Viv. Wonderful imagery.

Viv Wigley
Date: 2/7/2016 1:14:00 AM

snapshot, even. Darn keyboard.

Viv Wigley
Date: 2/7/2016 1:13:00 AM

Thanks, James, a tiny snaphot of an eerie place. regards, Viv

Kp Nunez

Date: 2/4/2016 11:17:00 AM

Spectacular imagery, Viv. You took me there... All the best! :-)

Viv Wigley
Date: 2/4/2016 11:04:00 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

Duke Beaufort

Date: 2/4/2016 6:57:00 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"!!!

Viv Wigley
Date: 2/4/2016 11:14:00 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,