I've seen a ship in a bottle
and a barque inside a jar
how they got there I've no idea
perhaps a retractable spar
mariners made them
when all at sea
or in the doldrums
averting voyage-long ennui
what it signifies I know not
but there's a punt
in the bottom of mine
maybe an impediment
to catch sediment
when storing
or accommodate
a thumb for pouring
yet it does not improve the wine
For: when my life changed Poetry Contest Sponsor: Kai Michael Neumann August 13, 2025
*****
a Curtal Sonnet
My life changed when suddenly Mom grew old,
the years had passed I was aware, too soon
the sunny afternoon became the dark
shadow of impending coil's mortal cold
journey underworld to the banks of gloom~
the ferryman will bid you to his barque.
Dont go! I cannot bear to be alone,
precious time has slipped away, left me stark
and naked in the darkess of new moon,
how soon for selfish sins must I atone?
Momma, disembark!
If a camel is the ship of the desert
then speaking equally
a ship is the camel of the sea
altho' a camel can go without water
for up to seven months
a ship without water on which to float
is neither a barque a barge nor boat
as the camel needs food
to get over the humps
it seems like a dromedary
conundrum to me
but if by chance
I'm struck by luck
and the lottery I should win
would that I could buy a ship
if I may I'd like to say,
"That'll be the day
when my camel comes in."
As the shadows start to lengthen
And the colors turn to gray
The sun concedes its dominance
For night it's making way
A barque for you is waiting
To take you out to sea
To sail you to the sunset
The captain of it, me
Please come aboard my bonny
I've made a place for you
The best seat on the forward prow
The sunset in full view
I've got your pink knit slippers
And yellow blanket too
You'll be warm and comfy cozy
As we sail the ocean blue
I know the deepest channels
The surface smooth as glass
The journey will be pleasant
Though it won't be very fast
Against the tide we're sailing
The reason why is clear
The longer it takes to get there
The longer you'll be here
It was right on the tip
of my tounge.
I losed my thought in
looking for something.
Why aren't the folders
marked: by tempo?
Who putlyrics and rhymn
on top.
They erased
melody and harmony
and put Bounce and Boogie
in it's place.
Love song has barque on it
we are going to dance not
waltz!
Ghee whizz: don't spill
no liquer on my floor.
My mind is already in a
fugue!
I thought it was coda!
start back at the top.
Art song complications
they are such picky people!
Outro:intro refraim!
Come to me on rainy days,
with rainbows in your hair.
Come to me in many ways,
in weather foul or fair.
Come to me in Broadway lights
and strut upon your stage.
Come to me in big sound bites,
let words run off the page.
Come to me on windy days,
when banshees howl and scream.
Come to me in silent ways,
like the whisper of a dream.
Come to me when least expected,
when my need is keenly felt.
Come to me when I'm dejected,
when the cards are badly dealt.
Come to me as bold as brass,
let me see your strumpet.
Come to me kicking ass
and blowing your own trumpet.
Come to me in the still, small hour,
when I am full of doubt.
Cool me like an April shower,
wash my demons out.
Come to me when all seems lost,
like a barque on a cruel sea,
helpless, adrift, rudderless and tossed.
For God's sake, come to me.
As each squall breaks the random motion starts
Leaves twigs and dust in chaos whirl and skitter
Yet at its core remains a still calm heart
The land shall be restored to a pristine glitter
But this metaphor denies a truth thereon
That neath that placid heart there is motion frantic
As vigorous paddling of the gliding swan
Not still, though cool and smoothing surface antic
Thus these images of one who many a year
Maintained a calm at eye of every storm
Was anchor to this college barque sans peer
Then held its course to waters clear and warm
16 September 2019
Poem in exactly 100 words
Leaving the dock, sounding the bells
Captain at stern, strong water swells
Winds give rise, full ahead call
Clear blue sky, no noted squall.
Boston harbor hosting, ships are notable
Schooners to Barque, old and admirable,
Sailing from Europe, Canada and England
Powered by winds, tugboats on hand.
Under the sky, across the sea
Tall ships sail, first view majesty
White masts rise, dressed to parade
Crewmen now salute, flags proudly displayed.
Ropes are taut, winds pass by
Ships now turning, sailors climbing high
Spacious seas accommodate, ships sail proud
Nearer to port, cheers come loud.
Crow’s nest manned, smooth sailing ahead
Through the channel, U.S. Coastguard led,
Viewers on banks, small boats inland
All ships accountable, well in hand.
Quite an honor, sailing high seas
Hands on deck, standing at ease,
Coming into port, Bunker Hill insight
Best of all, tall ships delight.
Your barque blocks the orb which steers my muse;
change course, you are an intrusion. Captain Wahn.
Intimidation brands you a martyr,
mere threats have no place herein.
Alter your own path. Skipper Twain.
Seems a knot has you both anchored;
choking, challenging your journey.
Old grudges you have harbored will send you
back to your docks on a gurney. words from Urania.
Fate obstructs the view
when ships align with the moon.
Urania smiles.
Hidden underwater shelf
will cut short the daze of malice.
The sparkling melody mirrors the waves
Of the peaceful Aegean Sea.
With notes floating to my rousing mind,
Sailing boats is all I see.
With winds flowing, boats sail forward
Towards cliffs of jagged rock,
From the town on the bluff I watch
Boats drift towards the dock.
That's the scene I always see
Hearing Ravel’s boat on the sea.
The memory is recalled so simply,
My summer in Santorini.
His world
hangs on a wall.
His wheeled chair
sits in a corner.
His tillered escape –
the Barque,
Astral Traveler.
//20 words//
©11/17/2017
submitted to – PIC MOTIFS – poetry Contest
Brenda penned a story about Brennan the boatswain in Bermuda
Who had bought a Bavaria 43 barque for a sailing adventure.
The story began with the ballad of Brennan:
'Come sail with me, on see-saw sea
Becapped, bedecked, emblazoned blithely, a blast!
Your love becalmed in my arms embrace.
All aboard, all in, with my deck I beckon.'
As the rollicking tale unfolded,
Brenda fell brow over boots, besotted, in love with Brennan.
She found herself browsing more and more online
Searching for 'Bermuda', 'Brennan', 'Bavaria Barque',
Hoping to find a real Brennan on board, waiting becalmed, with arms beckoning
For her to embolden her text and join him.
Ocean blue, upon lazy waves I share this tale
Of a behemoth beast- the color of death, lifeless and pale
Forty miles long he was, from snout to tail
A frightenin' thing onboard a fifty foot barque 'n' sail
Mindin' our own bi'sness we was when this thing hit
smashin the bulkheads water comin' in- "Oh Sh**"!
Off came my tongue bloody 'n' hurtin'- that which I bit
Hull cracked - middle o' that boat, it shur did split!
Dunno what made that crazy ole' whale think we was bait
That look in his eye shore was full o' hate
Mebbe he was just hungry- 'cause Billy Bob he ate,
Soon 'nuff that whale spit him out, guess he just didn't like the taste!
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