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Wonderland VI: The Sailor's Tale

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Originally published: 18th October 2020

Image by gR

This poem was placed 1st in the "COMPLETELY YOUR CHOICE (29) ANY FORM ANY CHOICE" contest sponsored by Brian Strand (Judged 18th November 2020)

With my thanks and apologies to Lewis Carroll and Geoffrey Chaucer.

THE WONDERLAND SERIES

I: Prologue
II: The Hatter's Tale
III: The Watchmaker's Tale
IV: The Hairdresser's Tale
V: The Chef's Tale
VI: The Sailor's Tale
VII: The Preacher's Tale
VIII: Conclusion

Morning The doctor called the next man in And offered him a chair Observing him in silence As he wrestled with despair. A minute passed before they spoke And when he raised his head With tearful eyes he whispered that He wished that he was dead. "Those tides wave back and beckon me When I walk along the sand. I gave up life at sea and now I’m all at sea on land. I used to be a real man And was never mocked before. I hide each day inside my shell. With no 'porpoise' anymore. Rules of logic don’t exist In the world I live in now. I really want to help myself But sadly don’t know how. I planned to study back at school But admit I didn’t go. Schools of whales and schools of fish Are the only schools I know." The doctor was the best in town And knew her patient well. She agreed to medication And support throughout his hell. She also gazed towards the stars To muster up some hope And helped him try to help himself In ways that he might cope. Noon The man returned to clinic Sounding cheerful as he said: “Thank you I'm much better You have helped me clear my head! Your input worked! I’m feeling well! I'm off to sea tonight!” The doctor sat back in her chair As things did not feel right.. Night He watched the lobsters from the sea Dance on the croquet green Then came around in hospital From what felt like a dream. Later That Night Half-awake and half asleep With the doctor near his side He learnt he’d tried to end it all And very nearly died. "A nurse agreed to follow you And then pulled you from the sea. He was acting on instructions From a plan set down by me. Your cheeriness was rooted In your plans to take your life; I sensed this during clinic As your doctor - and ex-wife."

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John Watt

Date: 7/23/2022 4:35:00 PM

Gary, another dark scenario, yet I see from your comments that this was written sympathetically towards the plight of the depressed and suicidal. Another brilliant twist ending! I can see the parallels with the mock turtle: long silences, the tear-filled eyes, the dancing lobsters, the sad tale of life. And the puns: never mocked, inside my shell, no porpoise, schools of fish, and my favorite one - "I'm all at sea on land". Loving this series - just brilliant, my friend. Cheers ~ John

Gary Radice
Date: 7/23/2022 9:55:00 PM

2 /2 In the Canterbury Tales the Physician was clever, flaunted his wealth and seemed 'full of himself' I gave the Physician / GP more empathy here and flipped the GP's gender so as to fit in with the idea she was his ex wife. In both the original text and in mine both looked to the stars for answers. Cheers - Gary

Gary Radice
Date: 7/23/2022 9:52:00 PM

1 / 2 John, thank you for your comments and for still sticking with the series. :) This tale is my own personal favourite but the least read. Yes, all that you have said about the mock turtle. :) He was sad because he wanted to be a real turtle. In my tale the sailor felt he wasn't a real man for having left the sea. I had him drink 'real' ale too in my Prologue and - again in my Prologue note he was being followed.. "So the sailor (being followed)" ..It was the nurse following him as requested by the doctor (his ex wife). In Carroll's original text I liked the Mock Turtle's pun on the word 'porpoise' so I referred to it here in my poem. I'll add that I also liked that part of Carroll's original text (but not included here) when the mock turtle called his teacher - who was a turtle - a tortoise because he 'taught us' :) Cheers - Gary

Sara Kendrick

Date: 12/19/2020 3:30:00 AM

Well, I hope not based on your life(because of the suicide attempt) but on someone you knew maybe. Anyway I like the humor(somewhat humor) in the end. Very creative and compelling work. Sara

Gary Radice
Date: 12/19/2020 4:56:00 AM

Thanks Sara once more for your valued comments. I really do appreciate them.. The suicide ideation isn't based on my life but, sadly, based on several people from my nursing days. I have been in a position(s) where patients have been on the edge of suicide but thankfully didn't carry things through due to teamwork. Cheers - Gary

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 11/20/2020 2:53:00 PM

An absolutely brilliant write, Gary captured my interest from the start... Belle

Gary Radice
Date: 11/22/2020 1:30:00 PM

Thanks Belle! I really appreciate all your comments on the series. Cheers - Gary

Christopher Flaherty

Date: 11/10/2020 2:39:00 PM

Gary Radice " Davey Jones " Instant Favorite 10 out of 7 Different Class 1st is an injustice The Only 1 He wished that he we're dead Planned to study But school of whales and fish Were the only school he knew

Christopher Flaherty
Date: 11/12/2020 3:32:00 PM

My absolute pleasure and yes i did. That is hard and very complicated mash up you are obviously well read Gary

Gary Radice
Date: 11/11/2020 3:12:00 AM

Hi Christopher! Thanks so much for your comments. I attempted to mash up The Mock Turtle (Alice) with a smidgen of The Physician (Canterbury Tales) whilst tackling the serious subject of depression. Really glad you enjoyed it. Cheers - Gary

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 10/25/2020 6:36:00 AM

Your Wonderland poems are brilliant Gary. I've enjoyed reading the lot! :) Linda

Gary Radice
Date: 10/25/2020 9:43:00 AM

I'd like to thank you and salute your powers of endurance reading the lot Linda :) I appreciate it very much. It makes this hobby of writing poetry all the more worthwhile. Cheers - Gary

Eve Roper

Date: 10/20/2020 8:31:00 PM

Depression did not stop with the cure. Thank goodness the doctor sent the nurse to watch him. Enjoyed the story. Hugs Eve

Gary Radice
Date: 10/21/2020 12:47:00 AM

Thanks Eve - I truly appreciate your comments. You're right - depression didnt stop with the quick attempt to cure. There's no quick cure. There were a couple of instances in my nursing career whereby a patient suddenly became overtly happy after being deeply sad just a short time before. It transpired that they had become happy as they had decided to end it all. The medication (which can take weeks to work) complimented by talking therapies is the best way forward in my opinion. Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman

Date: 10/20/2020 8:59:00 AM

I have witnessed the inertia of depression rob people of the vitality of life - they seem to drown every day. Your flowing, lyrical lines tell this story so well, Gary and alert all of us to the signs of depression. Congratulations. Well done.

Gary Radice
Date: 10/20/2020 3:33:00 PM

2) I forgot to add Sam, that the idea for the poem was primarily to base the sailor (very loosely) on The Mock Turtle from 'Alice in Wonderland' without making light of the theme of depression.

Gary Radice
Date: 10/20/2020 9:50:00 AM

1) Thank you for your valued comments Sam. I'm happy if this poem helps educate. You are so right about 'drowning' every day without the right help. Depression involves loss. Loss of role. Loss of relationship etc. There is great help out there but not all people can or do access it. I would like to see more education around the subject of mental illness in schools particularly. Thanks again.

Julius Machiri

Date: 10/18/2020 3:06:00 PM

This is great I enjoyed the rhymes and the flow and the end is superb .

Gary Radice
Date: 10/18/2020 3:18:00 PM

Hi Julius! Thank you for stopping by and reading. It probably still needs a little work round the edges but I achieved what I set out to write, so I'm grateful for the thumbs up. Cheers - Gary