Long First mate Poems

Long First mate Poems. Below are the most popular long First mate by PoetrySoup Members. You can search for long First mate poems by poem length and keyword.


Rounding The Horn

LISTEN, MATES, AND LISTEN WELL
TO THE TALE THAT I’M ABOUT TO TELL
ABOUT A PLACE IN AN ANGRY SEA
A PLACE WHERE MEN SHOULD NEVER BE

WAS THERE A SAILOR EVER BORN
THAT DIDN’T FEAR TO ROUND TO HORN?
 A PLACE WHERE EVIL DEVILS DWELL
A PLACE THAT HAS THE GATES TO HELL

I’LL TELL YOU ABOUT THE GOOD SHIP CREE
A WHALER ON THE GREAT SALT SEA
OUT OF GLOUCESTER SHE DID SAIL
GOING AFTER THE GREAT SPERM WHALE

FOR MANY DAYS HER COURSE WAS SOUTH
HEADED FOR THE FURIES' MOUTH
AND FINALLY SHE DID REACH THE HORN
AND SAW THE EVIL START TO FORM

A HOWL WAS HEARD WITHIN THE WIND
AND ICY WATERS IT DID SEND
AND CLOSER DID THE GOOD SHIP SAIL
INTO AN ALL-CONSUMING GALE

THIS WAS A STORM 
THAT WASN’T THE NORM
WITH WAVES NEAR 60 FEET HIGH
ALL THAT WERE HERE 
FELT NOTHING BUT FEAR
AS THE GRAY STOLE THE BLUE FROM THE SKY

CAPTAIN JIM AND FIRST MATE TIM
WERE TIED UP TO THE MAST
SCREAMING OUT THE SAILOR'S PRAYER
THAT THE FURY WOULDN’T LAST

BUT AS WE KNOW, THIS WOULD NOT BE
FOR THIS WAS NOT A NORMAL SEA
THE SPECTER NOW WAS ON THE SHIP
AND FROM HIS FORM THE BLOOD DID DRIP

THE SPECTERS GRIN WAS WIDE AND THIN
WITH TEETH AS SHARP AS NAILS
CRY OUT DID HE, UPON THE SEA
WITH WINDS THAT TORE THE SAILS

WOE IS US, OH WOE IS US
CRIED OUT THE FRIGHTENED CREW
THE PREACHER TOLD US NOT TO GO
AND NOW WE KNOW IT’S TRUE

OUR FATE IS SEALED
THE BOSUN SQUEALED
THE SPECTER WANTS US TOO
OUR DAY IS LOST, AND WE’RE THE COST
IT’S DEATH FOR ALL THE CREW

THEN FROM THE HOLD A BOY SO BOLD
THE PREACHER'S SON WAS HE
A GLOWING CROSS WAS IN HIS HAND
AND FROM HIS LIPS DID HE COMMAND
THE SPECTER TO THE SEA

GET BACK BEFORE I TOUCH THY HEAD
AND LET YOU BURN UNTIL YOUR DEAD
TAKE THY EVIL TO THE SEA
AND DO NOT SINK THE GOOD SHIP CREE

THE SPECTER SCREAMED A MIGHTY SCREAM
AND DANCED UPON THE DECK
AND IN THE AIR HE SWORE DESPAIR
THE SHIP THAT HE WOULD WRECK

THE SPECTER ‘S EYES WERE BURNING RED
AND SLOWLY HE DID CREEP
THE PREACHER'S SON STAYED CALM AS DEATH
TO WAIT THE SPECTERS LEAP

THEN FROM THE CROSS A BRILLIANT LIGHT
BEFELL THE SPECTERS FACE
AND IN FLASH HE TURNED TO ASH
AND LEFT WITHOUT A TRACE

SO THE CREE SAILED ON
THE SPECTER GONE
THE RIGHTEOUS DID PREVAIL
THE SEA NOW CALM AS I LIVE ON
TO TELL ALL OF THIS TALE
© Tom Fleece  Create an image from this poem.
Form: Rhyme


Premium Member Smashing Slashing Gnashing Storm at Sea

Smashing slashing gnashing storm at sea
Tossed the ships, sailors, Sammy, Elise and me.
We clung to the rudder and the wheel too
But she tossed us around like we weighed an ounce or two

Hold on! The first mate yelled to the skipper.
I can’t! He yelled, as the storm gave us a new ripper.
The skies opened up and poured hail on our heads.
Ocean was tossing and turning, storm needed to be fed.

I have never lived through a storm like this to date.
It was the most exciting experience of my life, so great!
I loved it totally when it did me little harm.
Better than a roller coaster in a loud rainstorm.
Form: Rhyme

Sailing

Sailing
the wind in my hair
sea gulls everywhere
negative ions are inhaled deep in my lungs
while the first mate lifts the buy from the rungs

Leaving shore
with a set course to the island
sun on our shoulders
feels like a warm comfortable blanket
fresh air makes our cheeks glow
as the day gets set to evening go

and millions of stars arise
in the velvety evening skies
all around is stillness except for the lapping sighs
against the side of the boat
that still sails on
to island dreams on a winsome song

finally
we moor near the island 
open up fine wine
while flipping the hamburgers quick on a dime
the air is sweetly scented
with flowers divine
guaranteed to remind me of this special time.
Form: Rhyme

What If

There in a town that's called What If
That now lays right between your ears
Where faith and fear now will sift
In life to see which way you'll steer

It now lays right between your ears
Where fear and faith invade your mind
In life to see which way you'll steer
With thoughts that may be cruel or kind

Where fear and faith invade your mind
There is a battle of wills you see
With thoughts that may be cruel or kind
You'll decide which outcome will be

There is a battle of wills you see
Now fear and faith came not alone
You'll decide which outcome will be
With decisions that should be honed

Now fear and faith came not alone
They are just who leads each team
With decisions that should be honed
As each will try to shape a dream

They are just who leads each team
Now fears first mate is farmer doubt
As each will try to shape a dream
He plants some seeds he hopes will sprout

Now fears first mate is farmer doubt
Who tries to say in life you can't
He plants some seeds he hopes will sprout
This weed I think is all doubt plants

Who tries to say in life you can't
But faith brings hope to get you through
This weed I think is all doubt plants
Where hope will guide your plans so true

But faith brings hope to get you through
Though fear and friends aren't done quite yet
Where hope and faith can guide you through
As long as unbelief does not beset

Though fear and friends aren't done quite yet
Faith has one more team mate too
As long as unbelief does not beset
You'll find that love will help renew

Faith has one more team mate too
Where faith and fear will now sift
You'll find that love will help renew
There in a town that's called What If
Form: Pantoum

Premium Member Steamboat Is A-Comin'

"Steamboat is a-comin' 'round the bend!"
My! Oh my! The wonders it might portend,
As it stopped by sleepy towns along the Missisip',
Dodgin' stumps and wayward rafts on its monthly New Awlins trip!

Its arrival was heralded by the town drunk who had nothin' else to do,
And the denizens who didn't flock to the wharf were very, very few!
The steamboat 'General Custer' was indeed a spectacular sight,
With fancy-topped stacks and palatial pilot house painted red and white!

The pilot rang the big brass bell, then folks began a frenzied rush.
The first mate let fly some dirty words - 'twould make a teamster blush!
He had ten minutes to lade his cargo and didn't suffer fools gladly.
Passengers scrambled on and off the boat fightin' each other madly!

There was a colorful parade of characters disembarkin' from the boat:
There came a preacher man clutchin' his Bible wearin' a black frock coat;
A soiled dove slithered ashore much to the delight of the local swains;
Followed by a shifty-eyed gamblin' dude with intent to swell his gains!

Drays, carts, horses and men vied for space to unload their freight,
Fightin' and cussin' and the mate hollerin', "Hustle! Hustle! It's a-gittin' late!"
The pilot rang the big brass bell and the steamboat was on its way agin'.
Til next boat, the drunkard is on the skids agin' guzzlin' his jug o' gin!

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
(c) 2015 All Rights Reserved
Form: Rhyme


Premium Member Life and Death

Life! Life! Sip wine with red lips.
Sigh with swiveling hips.
Gyration of your generation
With no sign of the cross veneration.

Dusk’s poison does color you sallow.
The first mate gouged off your halo.
The syrupy cabernet sticks in your throat.
Tonight like too many, he’s forgotten his coat.

You’ll play your symphony all over again.
Excitement pumps in your veins - against the grain.
Followup doctor appointment. Good news you’re dying.
Mother’s milk’s been spilled. No sense in crying.

2/5/2020
POLARITIES AND PARADOXES Poetry Contest
Sponsor - Line Gauthier
Form: Rhyme

Premium Member The Moby Dick Reunion

The Moby Dick Reunion 


One hundred fifty nine years have passed
Since Melville published his novel.
Seven hundred twenty pages in length
Some say it was much too nautical. 

All of the characters have gathered.
They’re going to have a reunion.
Rumor has it, they say, that Herman himself
Is making a huge revelation. 

Ishmael is the first to arrive,
And it’s he who was telling the story.
That’s only right, in the book he survived,
He deserves to get all the glory. 

Fedallah and Moby were next in line,
Just in from the Dr. Phil Show.
Their friendship had grown a lot lately.
The harpooner was psychic you know! 

When he and Phil studied the big fishes mind,
They found out his reason for anger.
The fact that he was albino
Had burned in his mind like a canker. 

Ahab, it seems, was equally mean,
And caused a lot of his stress.
He’d cornered the whale with harpoon boats, 
And offered no way for egress. 

Moby’s life has been changed forever.
He’s hitched to a really cute killer.
She’s working part time at Sea World,
Seems they needed a sub for their “killer”. 

The pub where they met was named Starbucks,
In honor of the owner.
The first mate was rich as a pirate.
He could even afford to buy toner. 
 
Then through the door entered Ahab,
With a prosthesis and brand new pipe.
He finally learned to be happy,
And enjoyed a simpler life. 

With him was Herman Melville,
A screenplay under his arm.
One thousand pages he’d written,
About whalers who lived on a farm? 

The crew didn’t give their attention.
By now, they were tanked up on rum.
He said he was going to Hollywood,
And if they were smart they would come. 

But Ahab and Moby were sobbing.
Tears falling into their mugs.
After all of their trials they found friendship
In the bottom of a jug. 

Herman begged them to go make the movie.
But, their lives were happier now.
They all had families to care for,
And no urge for taking a bow. 

It seems that while Melville was groveling,
Pip and Ishmael had stolen the play.
They put it in Queequey’s coffin,
And watched it float slowly away. 

That was the end of the reunion.
They all went home that night,
Happy with the realization,
That their lives were all just right!
Form: Verse

Premium Member Cupid's Golden Bow

Cupid's golden bow and arrow in hand 

 
always hits the target to the tightest degree

 
shedding his green skin like the chameleon he is 

 
the frog began drowning non-stop smiling as

 
he fell deeper into ocean colors of all shades a pearl

 
in a deep pool of beauty bathing so bright

 
he felt an electric bolt filled with deep undercurrents

 
string sparks fly in the first kiss with all feeling and intention

 
 

 
String sparks sizzilin' fly in the first kiss and bring  

 
dazzling amazing golden warm struck straight

 
but oh so gallant and oh so wonderful

 
 

 
In the heart on fire within passion hot

 
underneath the stars sailing of into space

 
inside floating around thoughts off the first mate

 
desires your affectionate smiles, laughs, and grins 

 
sings in the mind's eye grace of a thousand swans in flight

 
into another space over the Milky Way jewels sparkles a star

 
tender doting to the soul's eyes

 
floating to you bouncing inside waves

 
steaming hot seductive lashes 

 
floating through those curtains we join souls

 
uniting tender wooing and wonderful woven passion 

 
softly we forever kiss my love as desire always lays with you

 
 

 
I need and crave your love to take me to the edge of the night

 
dancing in my dreams struck deeply while 

 
turning this world upside down

 
into a golden paradise ball with all bells and whistles

 
that I've wished in my life

 
 


Cupid's golden bow and arrow in hand 

always hits the target tight and perfect

Always!  Always!  Always!  Always!



Liam McDaid and Gary Bateman, Collaborative Free Verse Poem, October 16. 2014

Premium Member Captain Deluxe

Deluxe sat in the crow’s nest playing the accordion all day.
Her father had been lost at sea, his memory was fading away.
Crew waited orders, for she now Captain Deluxe McVey. 
She played a morose melody, dreaming of a better day. 

You have to give us something to do, her first mate finally said.
Your father might have been retrieved, he might not be full-dead.
Deluxe was not ready to come down, she sat another day instead.
When she finally returned to the deck, she was ready to be fed.

How about grainy cheese burgers? Asked the compliant cook.
“You know how I hate beef,” she said, giving him the look.
They sailed the seven seas and ran into notorious Captain Hook.
Captain Deluxe won the battle and then went back to her nook.
Form: Rhyme

The Flying Dutchman

Hoisted high Black flags sail,
Camouflaged by a misty veil, 
A bow braced with forward guns,
Upon a ship no-one outruns,
This sight was seen through a scope,
A view of horror crushing all hope,
Terror races through the ship,
For they are within Davy Jones grip,
Bustling panic to throw weight over the side,
Anything and everything to save their hide,
Dark swells of clouds surround the merchant,
Like a sour jar of vinegar the crew fermant,
Kneeling, some pray for some type of saving,
Any rescue from what that vile ship is craving,
Villainous auras fills the air,
Causing halt to all prayer,
Will these pirates spare some of the lives,
Or send an empty ship back to their wives,
With every second the air gets thicker,
From the aft of the ship comes a flicker,
A barrage of small slugs rip through wood,
Boots and blood left where the cap'n stood,
Trepidation spotlights the first mate,
Unable to move due to sealed fate,
Through a portal all Hell enters,
For the helm was just splinters,
Without a doubt no lives will be spared,
The story of a rescue to never be shared,
A war horn sounds ringing in every ear,
Port side a figurehead in mist begins to leer,
Skeletal bones with a sickle, appears to be the reaper,
Materializing behind him the black flagged creeper,
With woods as dark as the Captain's soul,
The deck stained red from the Dutchmen's toll,
No visible crew leaves the merchants struck,
But this was not their type of luck,
From starboard side a hatchet was thrown,
Landing in the boswain's cheekbone,
Like serpents, pirates sliver over the side,
Some crew just buckled while others cried,
Hands raised high and knees into deckboard,
Now a chest soiled red by plunging sword,
Before every death was a faint wretched smell,
The kind only found rotting in a cell,
Cause Davy's crew were sentenced to jail,
An endless opaque sea faring Hell.
Form: Rhyme

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