Whale Song

The Curach (currach) is a traditional Irish boat made from animal skins / hides (now canvass). The hides vibrate when a whale sings.

 
                                       Whale Song

How gentle the waves lapped the boat almost bobbing me to sleep,
My liquid turquoise mattress with its secrets buried cold and deep.
A curious dolphin glided past, its snout smiled in its personal joke,
As it observed my ungainly presence, (this awkward land folk). 
My man made curach of pitch, wood and canvass stretched taut.
As she masters the sea with courage to return the fish she caught.

Now as I lolled towards twilight a strange sensation vibrated the boat,
It hummed an angels tune that rippled the canvass, with a glorious note.
And there in the distance, a great humpback whale trumpeted the clear air
As I sat in heaven blessed company with nature, in the middle of nowhere.
The whale approached my flimsy craft with a natural grace that was serene 
One of the most beautiful creatures that shares this wonderful marine.

And so the whale passed by with the gentlest disruption of space,
And I think it was amused when he saw the look on my face.
I sat there drained yet elated at this wonder I had shared
No camera or witness to observe the scene or to have cared
But I was there and my soul was touched like a child once again
To witness such beauty often befouled by the actions of men.

Now as I lolled towards twilight a strange sensation vibrated the boat,
It hummed an angels tune that rippled the canvass, with a glorious note.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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De La Croes Avatar
July 21, 2016 at 2:49 AM
Congratulations on your win for your beautifully-written poem, Seosamh. This is something which I have also experienced from a fishing boat in the bay where I live, and my emotions were exactly the same as yours! Go well, David
De Burca Avatar
July 24, 2016 at 3:58 PM
Thank you for visiting and taking the time to read my poem. It is an amazing experience to feel the boat vibrate from the whale song.
Merryman Avatar
July 18, 2016 at 4:24 PM
Beautifully written, Seosamh! Congrats on your win! Blessings!
De Burca Avatar
July 24, 2016 at 3:59 PM
Thank you Kim for visiting and reading my poem.
A  Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 1:27 AM
Hi Seasamh, Lovely win. WUV **SKAT**
De Burca Avatar
July 17, 2016 at 7:10 PM
Thank you :) hope you are keeping well.
A   Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 1:07 AM
Seosamh, Congratulations on your win. Stop by and enjoy my blog "The Perils of Getting Old" if you'd like. Always & Forever ~LINDA~
De Burca Avatar
July 17, 2016 at 7:09 PM
Thank you Linda for your kind placing of my poem in your competition, I'm delighted.
Saputo Avatar
June 24, 2016 at 5:18 PM
Such a vivid lovely write! I could feel the serenity of the sea and the whale's song while reading this! Many Blessings to you! :)
De Burca Avatar
June 24, 2016 at 7:06 PM
Thank you for reading and leaving such a nice comment on my poem.
Quigley Avatar
June 23, 2016 at 7:09 PM
This is beautiful! Great write. I love that "soul connection" feeling.
De Burca Avatar
June 24, 2016 at 7:05 PM
Thank you, I appreciate your comments.
Murray Avatar
June 23, 2016 at 10:57 AM
How am I the only Irish poet in the top 100 contest poets, when poems like this exist? Are you in exile Seosamh??
De Burca Avatar
June 23, 2016 at 11:56 AM
JEAN you are to kind, thank you. I hope you enjoyed my efforts at poetry. I look forward to reading all yours. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my poem :)
Horsman Avatar
June 16, 2016 at 4:39 PM
Not only a wonderful poet, but story teller also, loved this...
De Burca Avatar
June 18, 2016 at 7:36 PM
Thank you Harry, your comments are appreciated
Dietrich Avatar
June 8, 2016 at 11:42 PM
You capture many details in your descriptive writing. Very well done. I think I have met a great new poet to follow.
De Burca Avatar
June 9, 2016 at 11:14 AM
Thank you for your generous comments on my poem, I enjoy reading your work so much.
Teagan Avatar
June 6, 2016 at 7:06 AM
Wow this sounds like an amazing experience... to feel that vibration would be like being connected to the whale in a way.. I love how you described it as "hummed an angels tune" Very lovely poem to read.
De Burca Avatar
June 6, 2016 at 8:42 AM
Thank you for such a kind comment on my poem.
Godwin Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 4:58 PM
This is similar quality to your Summer Solstice write; the same intelligent content and consistent rhyme that never 'drowns' in the long lines. I love this write. Your descriptions are excellent, as with the Solstice, you put the reader in the boat. I cannot believe I have never read you or been aware of you. So many people, so little time. I am glad to have discovered you. I am impressed ... CayCay
De Burca Avatar
June 5, 2016 at 9:31 PM
Thank you for your kind comments and encouragement on my poems I appreciate it so much. I have enjoyed reading some of your poems and look forward to reading many more.
A   Avatar
May 31, 2016 at 2:45 AM
enjoyed your read Seosamh, thank your for sharing... ~Linda~
De Burca Avatar
June 1, 2016 at 11:20 AM
Hi Linda, thanks for stopping by to read and comment, much appreciated.
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