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The Snowy Albatross

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Fishing one day in the southern ocean The sun had risen and was shining bright Overhead me I heard a commotion A snowy albatross gliding in flight. With a huge wing span he circled around The haul on my deck had caught his keen eye Out of all the boats it was mine he found He then glided down and let out a cry. He landed on the water close to me I reached to my catch and threw him a fish Gone in a flash, he must have been hungry I threw two more, for him a tasty dish . Sailors who see them say it's a good sign I hoped by my actions luck would be mine. Written 16th October 2019. Writing Challenge, October 2019 Bird - Poetry Contest Sponsored By Dear Heart- Wiishkobe Ode.

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Valsa George

Date: 2/22/2023 6:34:00 AM

Quite an interesting experience.... an albatross spotting your boat and coming down. Fortunately you had enough fish to appease its hunger. Both the poem and the image are beautiful....Tom.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 2/22/2023 7:15:00 AM

Thank you very much Valsa, I'm pleased that you enjoyed it. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/8/2019 2:50:00 PM

this is REALLY nice, Tom. It is one of yours that I had somehow missed seeing lately.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/9/2019 4:09:00 AM

Thanks Andrea, I've been away for a few days and have got lots of catching up to do, sorry for late response. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/8/2019 2:50:00 PM

also Congrats. I don't know your placement but the win was well deserved.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/9/2019 4:08:00 AM

Thanks Andrea, it got a 1st in Constances bird contest. Tom

Quoth Theraven

Date: 12/6/2019 11:03:00 PM

Tom, I hope this Albatross brings you luck all through the year to come. Such a captivating poem. -Richard

Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/7/2019 5:16:00 AM

Thank you very much Richard and I hope you too have good luck for the coming new year. Tom

Sandra L. Weiss

Date: 11/11/2019 11:09:00 AM

A well deserved win Tom, congratulations! A snowy while albatross gliding in flight. What an amazing sight to behold

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/13/2019 4:21:00 AM

Thank you very much Sandra, had a few issues of late and haven't been on soup much, hope you are well. Tom

Keith O.J. Hunt

Date: 11/10/2019 12:31:00 PM

A great picture in time Tom, splendid simplicity:-)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/10/2019 10:56:00 PM

Thank you Keith, I'm glad you liked it. Regards Tom

John Hamilton

Date: 11/9/2019 2:14:00 PM

Congrats Tom on a wonderful sonnet about an amazing bird! We stayed at a hotel called the Albatross in the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia Argentina. We saw a few in the sky, what a sight to behold, we also saw Cormorants and Magellan Penguins, a memorable time for us, this poem brought back the memories, so thanks for that!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/9/2019 3:45:00 PM

Thank you very much John, it must have been an amazing sight to see. I would love to see them in the wild, I've only seen them on wildlife programmes and they facinate me. I'm happy I brought back those pleasant memories for you. Tom.

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 11/9/2019 12:37:00 PM

Hello Tom Cummingham, a delightful poem to read. I hope you had good luck that day. have a nice day my friend.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/9/2019 3:41:00 PM

Thank you Darlene, I'm happy you enjoyed my verse. Enjoy your weekend. Tom.

James Inman

Date: 11/9/2019 9:32:00 AM

Enjoyed your tale Tom.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/9/2019 3:39:00 PM

Thank you James, glad you enjoyed it. Tom.

Franci Hoffman

Date: 11/8/2019 9:36:00 PM

A beautifully written piece, Tom. Congrats on your well-deserved win.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/9/2019 3:38:00 PM

Thank you Franci, I'm happy you liked it. Tom.

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 11/8/2019 6:59:00 PM

Congratulations Tom: Must have been a wonderful sight and hope your luck and fortune remains good. SuZ

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/9/2019 3:37:00 PM

Thank you very much Suzanne, awesome birds for sure. Tom.

Quoth Theraven

Date: 10/24/2019 9:32:00 AM

Tom, This is a wonderful Sonnet. You captured the Albatross in words well divined. I don't know why then, for a moment, reminded me of the Dumbo PBY-5A Catalina that landed in 12' seas to rescue the remaining crew of the USS Indianapolis. -Richard

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/24/2019 10:16:00 AM

Thank you Richard, I remember reading about that, because it was a top secret mission, it must have been horrific. Tom

Constance La France

Date: 10/21/2019 9:10:00 PM

Tom, congratulations on your win in my writing challenge with this exceptional poem, I loved everything about it and your image is nice .

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/22/2019 1:53:00 AM

Thank you very much Contance, had wanted to write a poem about these fascinating birds for a while and your contest prompted me to do so. Thank you also for hosting. Tom.

Timothy Mcguire

Date: 10/21/2019 4:09:00 PM

Well written with great rhythm! Good Job

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/22/2019 1:38:00 AM

Thanks very much Timothy. Tom

Heidi Sands

Date: 10/21/2019 12:07:00 PM

I enjoyed this Tom. Congratulations for your win :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/22/2019 1:34:00 AM

Thank you very much Heidi, I'm happy you liked it. Tom.

Sandra Adams

Date: 10/20/2019 6:52:00 PM

what an awesome story and wonderfully penned sonnet, congratulations on your win :) hugs

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/21/2019 2:58:00 AM

Thank you very much Sandra, glad you liked it. Tom.

Jan Allison

Date: 10/20/2019 5:29:00 PM

a super descriptive sonnet Tom, many congrats on your win:-) hugs jan xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/21/2019 2:57:00 AM

Thanks very much Jan. Tom

Eve Roper

Date: 10/20/2019 4:47:00 PM

Great verse, Tom, congratulations on your win. Luck shined on you my friend Hugs

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/21/2019 2:57:00 AM

Thank you Eve, it certainly did, with some help from poetic friends. Tom

P.S. Awtry

Date: 10/20/2019 2:05:00 PM

Many congratulations on your win with this skillfully told tale—wrapped up in a sonnet, no less!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/21/2019 2:56:00 AM

Thank you very much PS, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Tom

Wendy Watson

Date: 10/20/2019 2:02:00 PM

I'm really pleased to see this one high up on the list,Tom.I thoroughly enjoyed the narrative.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/21/2019 2:52:00 AM

Thank you very much Wendy. Soup mail. Tom.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 10/20/2019 1:27:00 PM

- Congratulations on your win, Tom :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/21/2019 2:51:00 AM

Thanks very much Anne. Have a great week. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 10/17/2019 3:34:00 PM

A very interesting and informative write, hope good luck comes your way Tom- blessings, Jennifer.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/18/2019 9:46:00 AM

Thanks Jennifer, an amazing bird, spends most of its life in the air and at sea. Tom

Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/17/2019 2:05:00 PM

So interesting to me, as I normally associate an albatross as a burden/dead weight, as in 'an albatross around one's neck.' E.g., a grossly overpaid basketball player taking up precious salary cap dollars. (Modern example, there). At any rate, love the story and may Good Luck always come your way, Tom! Warmest wishes, Gershon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/17/2019 2:13:00 PM

Thanks Gershon, story goes that a sailor killed one and the crew were horrified so they made him wear it, from the ancient mariner, forget who wrote it. Fascinating birds though. Tom

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 10/17/2019 10:59:00 AM

A wondrous tale!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/17/2019 11:59:00 AM

Thanks very much Kim.

Panagiota Romios

Date: 10/17/2019 5:42:00 AM

Good luck Tom for this awesome poem.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/17/2019 11:59:00 AM

Thanks very much Panagiota, glad you liked it. Tom