Ship Wreck
~
From distant lands, with hope in their heart,
With an able Captain, their course to chart;
Through a shining sea, no one would ever think,
Their mighty ship was soon destined to sink.
~
All had dreams of America’s reward,
As their able Captain welcomed all aboard;
Freedom from tyranny in a new Promised Land,
They sold their souls to the ocean’s command.
~
New mothers nursed babes and sang lullabies,
Under the peaceful, starry night skies;
While couples in love, arm-in-arm,
Strolled together in romantic, moon-lit charm.
~
And young children happily romped and played,
Under the watchful eyes of their tender maid;
While the able Captain faithfully stayed,
To the voyager’s course he carefully made.
~
The music continued joyfully,
As its melody wafted out to sea;
When lightening struck, and fate soon played
Its ruthless hand in what was to be…
~
A hellish storm began to brew, and frightened souls realized,
Nightmarish terror reflected in their able Captain’s eyes;
As he suddenly became aware of a mightier ocean’s plan,
He knew none of them would walk in the new Promised Land.
~
For he alone knew the tremendous cost,
His ship of souls would soon be lost…
Mournfully, he lifted his eyes heavenward;
His last prayers seemingly unanswered, unheard.
~
Their able Captain’s heart overflowing with despair,
As hopeless cries began to fill the night air;
Those poor souls, all soon to be lost in the sea,
No one could save them from their destiny.
~
And as the sinister ocean waves rolled,
Burying each and every drowning soul;
Their noble Captain wept in ghostly misery,
As he sank with his ship in the mighty sea.
~
Their watery graves still tell a timeless story,
Lost hearts filled with hope for promised glory,
Of new life in a new land, they did not live to see;
Their sacrifice became their followers’ realized destiny.
~
I sadly remember those lost in the sea below;
All the dreams of those brave pioneers of old,
And their haunting stories, though painfully told,
For their legacy, born of the hope of their soul.
~
For freedom they would never know;
I appreciate all that they bestowed,
Upon the lives of you and me -
Who live the dreams for their posterity.
~
Copyright © 2003-2006, C. Lee Gaines (Le Karma)
Author notes
This poem was written in honor of all those unknown souls
who sailed to a new land seeking freedom they never found.
Written January 1st, 2003
In a list
A contest entry
- Requiem of tears. by Underneath my skin.
300 points, ended October 28, 2006, 9 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
-
this was a loving tribute that flowed down the page like a cascading waterfall. It felt so easy to read that verses skipped by and its was sad it came to an end, much like the fate of the ship. This had all the parts of a good story poem, the set up drew us in learning about the people heading off to the new world. The catastrophe that besieged the boat and the sad but inevitable end as all lives were lost. well done and enjoyable read
Cyber Artist
-
-
Thank you!!
-
-
This reminds me of the coffin ships that sailed to America during the famine here in ireland. The tiantic was a sad disaster, i live in the town where the ship was built and i comissioned a local artist to paint me an oil of the ship leaving Belfast dock. its ironic that it was built here and yet there was never a picture of it leaving here. i also asked the artist to paint a little dedication on the picture for the catholic workers who worked on it and and some lost their lives. So he painted in a tricolour flag on one of the three funnels. Ha ha. 1912 was a very prodestant Ulster and very few cathloics got jobs in the ship yard, it was a case of pass the button..(were father passed the job onto the son when he retired.) i no a good lot about this subject and have written a poem about it too. i have a few good books on it also. Do you see what this poem has led to? Great poem/story. xxxx Lady irish by the sea.
-
Awesome
Wonderful poem... I envy your rhythm and flow... I liked your imagery... Wonderful just wonderful... I enjoyed reading this... You're a great poet... -
a very well written poem! i can tell you are good at writing.
-
Thank you wings of an angel - I'm glad you enjoyed it and thank you for stopping by!
-
A great poem and tribute to The Titanic. Very well written. I imaging was really good, I could see it all happening in minds eye... Very nice Write!!!
Love & Light
Twinstar
Edited on Oct 23, 4:04 p.m. because ''. -
This is a very nice write La Karma that you had penned here your rhythm and rhyme flowed beautifully throughout the entire poem good luck in the contest
-
Thank you for your great comments, Sandy! Isn't it amazing what emotion can do for a poet? This poem just rolled off my pen after watching the movie 'The Titanic' I was so overcome by sorrow when the people drowned. I believe poetry is as healing as any thereapy! Thanks again!!
-
EXCELLENT POEM
This was an awesome poem Lee. It reminds me a little of my Clipper Ship poem, luckily my made it safely to America. Oh yes they prayed and the Lord stepped in.
. The imagery on this poem was amazing. Thank you for sharing. Take care, Sandy 
-
Thank you for your smiling face, Charlie!
Did the C-130 with no landing gear lose its 36 souls - crew & passangers?? I hope not. I'll bet that was traumatic for you.
I wrote the poem after watching the movie, 'The Titanic' earlier this year or last year, I can't remember when... I saw that movie twice, but the first time it was on TV a few years ago, I couldn't watch it - the people all drowning made me cry. It was sad and tragic thinking about how they died. -
Esxcellent
I was in my office one day and get a phone call from the command center, They said " there is a C130 land with no front landing gear with 36 souls on board. I remember that eiree feeling I got. 36 Souls, Your point brought that back, I love the way the words told the whole story.
Adding your comment:
1 - 12 of 12
