wagon train staple
the prairie schooner whitetop
plain covered wagon
mules and oxen
used on the wild frontier
harrowing journey
I remember the road to pilate farm,
It was a never land.
I rode in the galley with pilate pirate,
it was a roaring galley rowing.
It was ice-bounding through the night,
young frozen hearts beneath Clotilda.
hundred and ten suspended lives,
thirteen days shadowed silence.
forty five suns dipped the blue horizon
alas Alabama and down the sea Clotilda
a new world in canebrakes.
Half a decade away before unshackling the soul.
The schooner
On the flatland between the vales, I could see the sea
I had walked uphill for a long time, after the downhill
and the way to the coast, it was easy, but it was
getting cold, I wore a light navy uniform (Furlough)
I saw a protest house of worship on its own no other
Houses nearby this place would do.
I fell asleep, awoke and heard organ music, the church
full of matelotes singing psalms; the paster spoke
of redemption and the glory of God.
I saw a superb sunrise continued my walk to the coast.
In the morning an open café, I told the girl behind the
counter, where I had slept, she looked confused as far
as she knew the church had been torn down, it was
built of planks when of a schooner ran aground with
the loss of all hands.
The bay lies in repose at dusk
while a single-sail schooner
plows through the placid green,
Bright tangerine streaks blend
with magenta and gold,
as the sun slips silently
behind the curtain center stage.
HONORABLE MENTION
written November 17, 2021
on the beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
"Sunset In Your Window" Poetry Contest
All Poetry
April 3, 20222
EDITOR FRONT PAGE PICK
All Poetry
April 16, 2022
I would like to purchase a prairie schooner if you please.
The car salesman was brand spanking new.
He had to ask several other salesmen what a prairie schooner was.
None of them knew, so he “Googled” it.
Is this what you mean? He asked, showing her a photo of a prairie schooner.
Yes she said. “And I want it in pink.”
Schooner On a Schooner
It may have been later or possibly sooner,
We drank another schooner on a schooner;
While wind prevailed,
Down schooner sailed;
We became idiots who were an early bloomer.
Jim Horn
"'Twas a dark and stormy night," begins many intriguing tales,
But it WAS a dark and stormy night along the craggy coast of Wales!
Along its rugged shores, mighty gale-swept waves roiled and crashed.
Adding to the fury of the night, thunder roared and lightning flashed!
Out in Cardigan Bay the schooner Orion struggled to keep afloat.
Her rigging was torn asunder as her valiant crew strove to save the boat!
Salvation seemed beyond reach for those struggling, desperate souls,
As the raging storm shoved her nearer to those impregnable shoals!
With the captain at the helm and when rescue was within their reach,
The schooner Orion foundered when just a few yards from the beach!
Her oaken hull was shattered and her crew was never found.
Alas, the shoals of Cardigan Bay became their burial ground.
According to local lore, ghastly screams can be heard to this very day,
When the roaring gales sweep across venerable Cardigan Bay!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
a schooner at sea
regarded through the glasses
here, it is silent
5/3/2015
The Schooner
On the flatland between the vales I could see the sea, had been
walking uphill for a long time now, after the plain it was downhill
and the way to the coast was easy enough only it was getting
cold and I wore a light navy uniform. (had been on furlough)
Then I saw a protestant house of worship, but it was there on its
own no other houses to be seen not even a lone light from a farm.
A window was open and since it was also getting dark I was tired
I climbed in and rested on a pew.
Fell asleep, awoke and heard organ music the church was full of
matelotes singing psalms. The pastor spoke about sin, redemption
and god’s glory, then his flock silently left. Dawn, I saw a magnificent
sunrise, continued my walk to coast.
In a morning open café I told a girl behind the counter where I had
slept, she looked confused as far as she knew the church was
torn down years ago since it was haunted, as it was built of planks
of a schooner that ran aground with loss of all hands.
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