Get Your Premium Membership

Tossed On the Tide - a Rattling Rhyme

Poet's Notes
(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Gregory Richard Barden.


Image result for tom hanks raft

On an azure expanse without prospect or sail
        the debris of my ship rent asunder from gale
            as I float, the last salt to endeavor my breath
    my mates sent to Davey Jone's locker in death
I am lashed to this length of the mizzen, adrift
        as swells rock me gently and ship riggings shift
            it's too many days now I've been without water
    parched to my marrow the sun growing hotter
I've now resigned grace, if I give up the ghost
        and I think on the treasures of life I love most
            I remember my time in the crow's nest a-sway
    puff cheeks of the moon on the tail of the day
the glow of the wake as the drift ever churned
        and the dancing of St. Elmo's fire as it burned
            oh the heavens - as dark as the deepest abyss
    yet alight with a blush from the Milky Way's kiss
a thousand suns setting and not one the same
        young lasses in port with bright tresses aflame
            the yawp of the sails, e'er the ship came about
    a yell from the nest when we'd spotted a spout
the cold slap of spray as a cap broke too soon
        or Luna's night dance like ten million doubloon

    well ...

        the ocean can't hold all the rules that I've bent
            but I float off to sleep on these billows content
    ever sure that this seafarer's life was well-spent
and my only fit grave, this ol' sea, heaven-sent
        aye, my only fit grave, this ol' sea ...





~ 3rd Place ~  in the "Rattling Rhyme" Poetry Contest, Nina Parmenter, Judge & Sponsor.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 3/28/2020 4:24:00 PM
This is wonderful Greg. I really enjoyed it. Congratulations on your deserving podium win. I couldn’t think of anything to enter. xxoo
Login to Reply
Date: 3/27/2020 9:00:00 PM
excellent rattling rhyme with great imagery, Greg. Congrats on the wonderful third placement. I hope I was at least in the top ten she mentioned at the blgo which had the meter right!!
Login to Reply
Date: 3/26/2020 11:57:00 PM
Congratulations with this eloquent, beautifully crafted poem.
Login to Reply
Date: 3/26/2020 5:17:00 PM
Wow, Greg, this is a truly creative take on the theme with perfect flow. "A thousand suns setting and not one the same …" is great stuff. Best to you.
Login to Reply
Date: 3/26/2020 4:49:00 PM
This took so much creativity to put yourself in this challenging situation and write of it as if you were actually there (or were you, hmm...) Great draw from a great movie, I love that powerful scene. "WILSON!!!" Well deserving of your podium placement, my friend. Congrats to you, yet again! ~ John
Login to Reply
Date: 3/20/2020 7:49:00 AM
Nice one...
Login to Reply
Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 3/21/2020 1:05:00 AM
Thank you, Arturo ... I pray you are well.

Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry