Long Fantail Poems

The Moon Also Rises
The Midwatch

Harry Mayer


The X.O.’s in the shower
and the Captain’s in his bed.
The Chiefs’ are playin’ poker
as we’re steamin’ to the Med.

“I’ll take that bet and raise you”
is what the Bo’sun says
from the...

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A tramp steamer plies an ocean of fog. 
The Chief Bos’n makes a note in the log while the helmsman 
Strains to see beyond the wheel. 
The ship’s Captain leaves the bridge with a groan....

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When I get tired of the concrete and tar
there’s a place I can go, and not travel far,
that hasn’t been touched by progress at all;
nature stands still beneath gums growing tall.

And in amongst shadows with...

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There’s a time-honoured stretch of a river
that’s a cog in the natural wheel
flowing longer than mans’…
time upon earth
and home for the blackfish and eel.

They say that the time of the crayfish
goes back to the dinosaurs’...

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The morning has started with a trace of a dew
An ascent through the tussock ignites the new day
Trailing huntaways eager to work on the ewes
Awaited shrill whistles loose the dogs on their prey.

A new shepherd...

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Sitting on the old black oak, where we used to fish together,
lost in the past, I think back, and remember a better day.
You wrote to me about your new ship, and new friends,
and your new...

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FantaledShrimpe 
The girls were slow the act was nice but they were slow the drinks were melting the ice 
before the patrons reordered some. The place was dead the sex was pantomimed. The 
director decided...

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In the Med aboard the Byrd,
Captain spoke and gave the word.

Rough course ahead, but still on track.
If not on duty, then hit your rack.

For Rob and I, we had to know.
So, topside bound to see...

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When the autumn winds blow away the last petal,
And the last golden leaf is seen to gently settle
On the golden carpet created for us to tread,
We sit as I use your shoulder to rest my...

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Standing on the fantail of a warship on patrol,
Its wake stretching off to from where I’d come,
Transporting me back to my first day aboard,
Three long deployments ago.

I’d learned about things like a bucket of steam,...

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On the horizon the sun is setting
Blue water, white clouds, red sky
The peace and tranquility of a calm sea
The sound of a cutter passing by

Standing on the fantail at night
Staring at the heavens above
Warm Caribbean...

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Ode to the Flowers- -A Sonnet 

So fine flowers, your colors so bright.
the way in the wind you flap, wallow and soar,
Invades my mind day and through the night,
Always dreaming about the pleasant or.

Let me...

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Poetic Diversion For Violin And No Orchestra 

planet shoes tiptoeing 
in cadences known to the mourning cloaks
their soft landings on spread petals
teach infinite lessons with splendid hot swishes
fan-tailing silently the unseen cricket kisses 
rising and...

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Monochrome winds fantail snowdrifts.
Fleck-churned sparks maw feathery flights
and a howling backdraft
spikes matted fur.
Pawing winds spring traps clenched,
injurious icicled haunches hollowed.
A smothering whiteness whistles

through yellow teeth, a smoldering
witness from snow that isn't snow,
(one homeless person's jaw...

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