Stormy sea churns with frightening fury
Seamen shouting about a mangled mizzenmast
Cragged cliffs are awaiting ahead
Eerie ghost gray sky defines haranguing hope
Fear foments in dire disaster
Tempest toll; ubiquitous undertow
Sailor's destiny lies on rugged rocks.
#1
Syllables E selected and check with PS
FIRST PLACE WINNER
written November 30, 2021
submitted to "Alliterisen 2 Poetry Contest"
sponsored by Joseph May
Categories:
mizzenmast, sea, storm,
Form: Verse
Soft is her breath, as the full moon begins to rise high.
Warm breezes whisper to the gentle ripples on the bay.
Ocean swells carry the seaweed high upon the tidal surge.
A ketch cruises by with her mizzenmast tightly bound.
heron stands stoic
taking flight into a breeze
scent of lilac wafts
3/11/2021
Springtime Haibun Contest Poetry Contest
Sponsor: M. L. Kiser
Categories:
mizzenmast, bird, eve, flower, moon,
Form: Haibun
From topside in the mizzenmast I can see
the speck of light, candlestick Pigeon Point
lighthouse on the California coast.
It’s three degrees off our starboard bow where
treacherous waters break hard against rocky cliffs.
Many mates have been lost on those rocks before
the light was lit.Sea surge gives no quarter to
helpless seamen, fog makes it hard to see clearly,
a bad danger.
Wind is picking up, maybe that will help clear
the coast. High above, stars shine brightly over
the guardian’s watching flame.
I gave shout down to the deck, report of my sighting.
A distant voice comes back up. “Where away?”
“Three points off the Starboard bow showing dim.”
“Make fast your eyes, don’t lose sight!”
“ Aye Sir, don’t lose sight.”
First Mate Nielson, with bullhorn was giving the order,
and his orders were not to be taken lightly. I gave
my eyes back to the sea and light.
Free Verse Style Only Poetry Contest
Sponsor is Emilie Pinet
1-19-19
Categories:
mizzenmast, ocean,
Form: Free verse