Marie Duddle Poet Rhyme

Valor

Valor

The captain of the boat held on
His fingers wrapped around the rails
Never had he seen such swells
He knew this night would not end well.

The attack was relentless, the waves were huge
And he knew his beloved ship named “Valor”
who for years had weathered raging storms
did not have the strength to win tonight
she was old and sinking, the deck overflowing

His loyal men, all life-long sailors 
Reeled and fell as they stumbled about
Twenty good men who had served him well
Then, looking to him as one they shouted
“Captain what orders, what should we do?"
His heart just sank for he had no clue.

He fervently prayed to the Captain above
for wisdom and courage on this dark stormy night

It was then he saw beyond the waves
An island out yonder, perhaps they could make it!

He looked again and then despaired
for this was the island
where no-one ventured.

There were jagged rocks and sharks all around,
He loudly cried out : "Great Captain please help!"

“Men, he shouted, its up to you 
There’s an island ahead not too far away
You may have a chance, but the life boats are old
And I fear this angry storm will claim it
Prepare my men, to swim for life
And may God help you all, for there are sharks about”.

As for me, no more sailing
I will stay with "Valor" 
but may God be with you, and I thank you for your service".

It was only seconds but felt like years
as twenty pairs of eyes stared straight at him.
Then one by one they struggled, kept coming
Till close to their captain, his sailors stood by him.

He saw in their faces they had made a choice
then together they sang their sailor song
and as their voices rose as one
the winds though fierce could not subdue it.

It is said most sailors now avoid that route
for sometimes at night a ship named "Valor" is seen
and strong sailor voices fill the air
and whether the night be misty or clear
As plain as day these men are seen
surrounding their captain, with a sailor salute.

The vision promptly disappears it is said
but strong man would swear they had seen the dead.

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