The Widow’s Watch
‘twas a moondim night on the widow’s watch
for counting the days you had gone to sea
on the railing I carved a tiny notch
as if the scars, would bring you back to me
the albatross sings, I turn a deaf ear
as petticoats rustle in the sea breeze
the ocean will claim you, ‘tis this I fear
my mind screams a silent “O darling, please”
then in the dim light, I spy a small ship
out o’er the horizon appears a sail
I burst to the stairway lest I should slip
and ran to the docks my skirt in a trail
as the ship pulled in you smiled at me
I hugged you so tight, my man from the sea
Author notes
Widow’s Watch or Widow’s Walk is a railed rooftop platform, typically on a coastal house, originally designed to observe vessels at sea. The name comes from the wives of mariners who would watch for their spouses to return from the sea.
Albatross: is a sea bird that superstitious sailors feel the cry means bad luck or death.
Sonnet
Sonnets are formal poems and consist of 14 lines (3 quatrains and a couplet) , traditionally written in iambic pentameter - that is, in lines ten syllables long, with accents falling on every second syllable.
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Comments
1 - 16 of 16
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After having spent a week in Cape Cod a few years back with a group of poet friends of mine we were amazed at the number of houses that had a widow's walk and intrigued at the legend behind them. Two of the poets decided to join together and wrote an epic poem of the same title as this, it remains one of my favorite pieces of poetry to this day.
I really enjoyed this, much more pleasant ending, poem as well. Beautiful word usage
Ruth
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Oh dang... as you know I'm in love with the sonnet structure and this was just superb. The picture added a chilling touch which was perfect for the poem below. Fantastic job.
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Thank you so much for this wonderful entry. I enjoyed this part the most I think:
then in the dim light, I spy a small ship
out o’er the horizon appears a sail
I burst to the stairway lest I should slip
and ran to the docks my skirt in a trail
It's really beautifully written and presented.
Well done, can’t wait to hear more from you.
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bravo
A fine and very deftly done sonnet, full of mood and of brooding....and a surprise ending! Well done! bravo... bravo... bravo...
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Excellent
I thank you for entering this poem in my contest. I especially appricate the bit of history behind the Widow's Watch. Quite interesting. I always thought the Albatross was a good omen not a bad one. Guess I had best brush up on my sea lore.
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excellent~
I loved this...also one of my first reads of yours...
I love Old Widow's Walk always found them intriguing...as is this poem with a lilt of a haunting tone....
Best of luck in the contest...nice to meet you and hope you come visit me as well
Hugs
Susan~~~
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Excellent
Oh my what a wonderful poem. So full of the sadness and images that can haunt. A very fitting poem for the contest. Best of luck.
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This is a wonderful sonnet. I love the longing in the first then you turn in the last few lines when the lover returns, That is text book smooth imagery everything wonderful.
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Amera, this is so lovely, one can feel the lonliness of the wait and the feel of the sea, you have caught the topic well. Good luck in the contest. Val
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Great sonnet... I wish I could i could write sonnets as good as you do...
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Wow!!
This is one Brilliant Sonnet and You do these so darn well~ Geeeeeeeeeeez..Love this one!
Beautifully presented and words Touch to the core~
Could feel the emotion...in each line...
Thank You for sharing Beauty!!
Best wishes to You in the contest
Many blessings too
and much love~ Desire~*~
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This is so damn good I could kiss you! So, I think I will
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sigh.
Love, Lane
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Amera,
We are so simiar in the romantic, emotional aspect, perhaps we do need to get our DNA compared! LOL!
but no, this was well done, touching and uplifting.
touched me deep gal, keep up the great write lil cubbie.
Dad
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Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful! And so is the Sonnet! You have mastered this form! Three bunnies.
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This is beautiful and the imagery incredible. You have produced and incredible sonnet. Best of luck to you in the contest.
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amazing sonnet, loved the imagery, you could hear her petticoats rustle, even. good luck in the contest!
gracie
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