Best Ships Poems
Burnished gold, aged bronze patinaed by the firelight
singed by sullen Sol, not stayed by Poseidon's hand;
aflame, aflame, tall ships burn, see their masts ignite.
Impenitent, sky rains ash blackening the night.
Fire sends a smoky pall upon the sea and land,
burnished gold, aged bronze patinaed by the firelight.
Fire eats: the air, snuffs man's breath; highlighting their plight,
all hands on deck, the Captain calls, out his command.
Aflame, aflame, tall ship burns, see their masts ignite.
Hell's inferno comes calling on this sun lit night,
foul winds blow, fire roars, and so the flames are fanned;
burnished gold, aged bronze patinaed by the firelight.
Without their ship, crews are lost to a debtors blight.
Up the went like scarecrows shriven by the brand,
aflame, aflame, tall ships burn, see their masts ignite.
Cinder shower catch the dock; workers run in fright.
Pain and heartache fill the wharf; still, they must disband.
Burnished gold, aged bronze patinaed by the firelight
aflame, aflame, tall ships burn, see their masts ignite.
Keelmen Heaving in Coals by Night' by Turner
Published by Dual Coast 2014
Beneath the fathom’s deep, in wreckage’s graveyard
Of the forgotten, here the broken bones of ships lie still,
Covered in a forest of seaweeds greenery.
Corrosion steel hauls ripped wide open, lay against ancient
Wooden beams from vessels voyages, of long ages distant past.
Faded names, render no clues reference, for the maritime detective.
But tragedies lost vessels, did ride upon the frothy foam,
And spray above, sailing the big blues timeless tides.
Nay Poseidon's toll ti’s payed in sailors flesh, melting
Humanities dreams beneath his drowning waves.
Beauties fare, and proud are they, the crippled,
Swallowed whole by the aquatic storms avenging rage.
Mercy's mere-angels weep thus, for the mortal souls lost,
Guiding them towards their spiritual resting place below,
And welcoming them unto their fathers kingdom beneath,
The abysses darkening depths.
Torn asunder is mankind's well hued craft, shattered
Into bits pieces, large to small, a glittering shards
Rain of destruction. crashing into the muddy bottom,
Of the under belly of the sea itself.
Deaf are the silent cry's of men, whom leave only
Bubbles streaming upwards, as their last epitaphs
Tribute for thy existence.
The devil's gardens, swim these black waters,
Turning them crimson red, sharp toothed monsters,
Feasting upon carrion discarded left overs.
Dark figures, phantom creatures, lurking just below,
The briny surface, awaiting for the Poseidon’s next victim,
To join the graveyard of ships.
Faded are their names, forgotten titles, as the paint
Peels, on the once majestic vessels.
Now they remain wreckage’s ruins, abandon to the
Mercy of erosion masterful hand of destruction.
Hear the sounding clanging of bells, whom ring in
Silences of troubled waters abode, it is the cracking
Of doom, beware thy young lad, he whom seeks fortunes
Favor abroad, for only fools test the might of the sea,
Against thy own grit and survive.
Thus thee shed a tear for the fallen, dear lad,
For no other will on the dead’s behalf, in thine
Cemetery of the graveyard of ships. no passages
Return tickets are given.
BY: CHERYL ANNA DUNN
SPIRITUAL-HISTORICAL
02-03-2914
Applauding sun’s halo~ inspiring, rewarding,
Mindfully I rise with the ebullient awakening
Letting soul enliven while robins are singing
And horizon crimson glimmers in dawning.
I hold time still for the blossoms of spring,
Rivers that burble sprucing green prairies
And blue tides bouncing summer’s revelry
And resplendent dazzle of autumnal leaves.
Every memento of love I treasure in delight,
In embrace of family, I cheer life sublime
Rejoicing when I sense success in their eyes
Celebrating milestones of things done right.
Realizing I own a mere fraction of eternity
Elated I feel holding just a speck of infinity
Succeeding more often than failing or quitting
Coping resolutely with poor hand of destiny.
I shun nightmares, choosing dreams of night
Lifting troubled mind when grief occupies,
When darkness rules, I invoke moonlit skies
And paint on visage of hope blissful smiles.
I yearn not for the ships that already sailed,
Regret not having tried the conquests I failed,
But I chase prospects of aspirations deferred
Yet, remain focused on things that matter.
July 20, 2021
Placed 1st: Motivation poetry contest
Sponsor: Shreya LN
Down where magnolia blossoms white
Summer breezes touch wind chime's scales
Lovers sleep soundly in the night
Time flies, ships sail
On a downhill slide that can't contrail
Life lived mostly in fight or flight
So nice to enjoy a summer's tale
Close to the creek the breeze delights
Dream dreams, and fantasy build then exhale
Expedite change from pyrite to gold bright
Time flies, ships sail
August 06, 2022
For Brian
Just like Helen of Troy
your face could launch
a thousand ships.
Your preternatural beauty,
arrests the air I breathe.
At first glance,
time freezes to a standstill.
So enviable is the symmetry of your face.
Your facial features, perfectly chiseled.
Your captivating face,
a feast for the eyes
Tantamount to fireflies
swarming the charcoal sky;
even Aphrodite would bow her head
in shame before you.
Just like Helen of Troy
your face could launch
a thousand ships.
That nose, beautifully centered
on your heart-shaped face.
Those lips, a rounded cupid's bow.
Those amber puppy-dog eyes,
brim with love
and devastating innocence.
Oh, how your face comes alive
when you smile at me!
Your aura, nothing short of magnetic!
The power of your radiant smile
could make iceberg explode
like dynamite!
Just like Helen of Troy
your face could launch
a thousand ships.
Free Verse Only- Pick a Theme Poetry Contest/Winner(2nd Place)
Sponsored by: Laura Loo
Theme: Your face could launch a thousand ships
Date written and posted: 05/29/2018
Haunted Old Ocean;
Specters swim throughout the sea;
For many a good ship has,
Met its final doom;
Within the tempestuous,
Waters and cannot move on.
On stormy nights you
May see a ghostly visage;
A ship that no longer sails.
Know that beneath lay,
One in its watery tomb;
It’s calling to warn…”Danger”!
Its last memory
Before fate let the waters,
Collect another victim.
your eyes of a darker hue
captivate the rising sun
its red dressed cape surrounds your face
and draws me in like quicksand
in the farthest meadows hummingbirds slow flight
so they may see beauty as you quietly pass by
my eyes slowly lift to soak in each delicate glorious glow
that rests upon your skin
rendered shadows caress each curve
bursting in technicolor
your mouth parts like a dew-soaked rose
opening its petals to the morning
your eyes are alive
breathing life from two orchids dancing in soft light
reaching for the sun
and I, gaze upon the face of beauty
like a trembling fawn hid in the forest
5/30/18 contest Free Verse Only...Pick a theme
Theme...your face could launch a thousand ships
Do Not Sad Weep, For Long Lost Ships
I know you too,
once we were new.
Your heart fast beats,
fate, life oft eats.
Yes, I know how,
hold my hand now.
To live, be free,
chase love with me.
Let nights gift more,
both hearts on shore.
On love we dine,
let dawn's sun shine.
Love is a sea,
come dance with me.
Twirl the dance floor,
who wants much more?
Touch my soul deep,
do not sad weep.
Kiss these soft lips,
are we lost ships?
Like morn's bright dew,
love holds we two.
Need you so much,
wake to my touch.
Send love's deep kiss,
you I do miss.
Wait day's great call,
why did we fall?
We had great fun,
sky needs its sun!
Birds found their tree,
when love was we!
2-03-2018
Helens face launched a thousand ships
Do you believe she desired a legacy such as this
To be the center of a war
All for a love that she could not control
Many people live, die and fight for love
It’s the strongest emotion that drives us on
It makes do the craziest of things
It inspires the songs we sing
It’s far better than that feeling of hate
But either one can leave disaster in its wake
Love is powerful, love is strong
Use it with care so that it does no wrong
But as Helen of Troy found out
That when you fall in love without a doubt
It can cause empires to fall
And can wreak havoc with us all
So take care but never be afraid to share
Love with those people for whom you care.
31/5/18
As I glance at the steadfast stars aloft
in a somber black mood, ship's
sails billow across celestial waves.
My smile died with memories
not wiped away, 'twas my choice.
How many times a day did I
watch your beautiful face in my daydreams.
Your face could launch a thousand ships.
As hard as it's going to be,
I'm willing to let you go
so you can go on with your life.
You're going to be happy;
that's all that matters.
The very thought of it
is like a knife in my heart
twisting and turning
each time I imagine
someone else has taken you.
I allowed myself to get close to you;
I'm willing to love you from afar.
6/5/2018
Poetry Contest: Free Verse Only- Pick a Theme'
Sponsored by: Laura Loo
You were beautiful to look at
No one could deny
Your smile
The red stain
Your face could launch a thousand ships
What passed your lips would sink them
05/31/18
Laura Loo
Free Verse Only- Pick a Theme Poetry Contest
Not nearly long enough, a king’s words
what to expect from a tyrant's paradox absurd
She holds the cobalt blue bowl to her lips
making sure not a drop is lost as consumed
a grape tint gauze tied gently around her hips
it tells of an impregnated womb
a farewell toast to the warriors aboard ships
or a drink of what they’ll lack, that and more
of the destiny a young husband has in store
departing are ships, she ponders them upon the sea
the open book in front of her kept unread
behind her, replacement ships underway, as relief
what has been too long, for any sailor this dread
out at sea in despair of the unknowing, the grief
Of sailors jumping overboard, an S O S ignored
what any wife can’t bear, their king has no empathy
furious are the wives of the lies told
a sword has stricken through the hearts of gold
replacement ships finally, underway to relieve
what has been too long for any sailor out at sea
Steady and stealth are
NASA’s sleek steel ships,
their bright brazen tail lights
trail baby blue skies
as they climb cliffs of rugged cloud banks
~*~
Written May 31, 2013
The sun does rise
Over silver ships sailing in the sky
Rain on down on our parade
In a concrete jungle
The kids come out to play
Masked by this dreadful masquerade
A cosmic dance where stars collide
The kids and parents run to hide
Shelter from the enemy above
Who light up the sky with lightning bugs
The land is dark and the sky is black
Mothers pray the birds will not come back
Be it by barren land or vicious sea
Lord just hear our plea
The sun does rise
Over silver ships sailing in the sky
Rain on down on our parade
In a concrete jungle
The kids come out to play
Masked by this dreadful masquerade
Over the ocean's creed
Lie in waiting with foreign breed.
Heavy metals laced the ocean's petals
En-route to the creek in cargoed cans.
Rice from the fields of Thailand,
Iced fishes from freezing Iceland.
Craps of computer hardware from Shenzen,
Packs of frozen skeletal turkeys from China.
Smuggled contrabands in hidden sacks
Matches and toothpicks from Japan's racks.
Cornfield of men at the wharf
Old and young, giant and dwarf
Exposing chest to the moment cling
Hurling sacks of rice the cargoes bring
Staggering weightless like David's sling
"No food for the lazy" the saying goes
When the ships come to berth,
Able men to the harbor dart.
A wave of pity descends my lung
Watching men so silly and strong-
Getting strangled beneath heavy loads,
Smiling wickedly at crumpled notes.
If only those energies could grace a trade,
And suffocate beneath the weights of knowledge.
When those ships come to berth,
May be they will someday leave this shore
Filled with the toil they bore
With our local brands in foreign lands.