A legend is told around the Chippewa
Over mountains and lakes that echo today
For the old tars remember it's said
That the waters below never give up their dead
For she carried a load of iron ore
That weighed nigh on 26,000 tons or more
That they spoke of the Edmund Fitzgerald
She was true to the course when the trouble appeared
The ship was the pride of them all
Sailing from Wisconsin that day in a squall
As big as it was there was no match
For when fortunes turn sour in a scratch
No matter the deal that was struck
Steel cannot resolve when the almighty catches up
Even Cleveland cannot balance the score
When the bells sounded their warning like never before
For the wind made its' howling refrain
Across tower and deck it screamed like the insane
And it was felt by every member of the crew
It was hell come a callin' to put them all through
By supper it was all plain to see
That the end was now nigh and no time to flee
By 7pm all hell had finally broke loose
There was wreckage below escape was no use
The captain sent fate out on the wire
We're taking in water that's getting higher and higher
When finally later all the lights disappeared
The eulogy said it was the wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald
How does the mercy of the almighty explain
When time is elastic and nothing remains
The old tars say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
Only if she'd been another fifteen miles on
Now only the watery memory remains
And faces in white that whisper the names
Of that fated and martyred sea crew
Where it's the loved ones left behind to rue
The great lakes will always make the call
Dictating the terms to one and all
For they are not for the faint-hearted and meek
They will snatch out your life if you're weak
Down in Detroit they whispered and prayed
In the old seaman's chapel where they were arrayed
While the bells tolled out 29 times
As a roll call for each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald
A contest entry
- Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by seamaiden.
1050 points, ended November 5, 2007, 6 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Pretty much anything goes!!! Come Enter :D by leslielovesthomas.
300 points, ended November 14, 2007, 12 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - your best work composed over the last twelve months by Lute.
600 points, ended January 9, 2008, 68 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Lure Me In by redmarkonthewall.
525 points, ended March 16, 2008, 13 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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I know very little of the Edmund Fitzgerald only that is was a freighter that sank in Lake Superior some time ago. This poem of yours has taught me about it. I like to read poems based on real life events so thanks for your entry.
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It has an
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pattern
content 7.7
vocabulary 13.12
accuracy 7.8
creativity 7.7
theme 7
originality 6.8
totals: 50.12 -
This is awesome! The imagery is amazing, wow!! This is so very well written. I love the story you told it, it flowed very well. The rhyming was great as well! Thank you so much for sharing and best of luck to you in the contest!!
Leslie
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I too feld the presence of Gordon Lightfoot in this ballad. You have extended the imagery in great detail. Good luck in the contest!
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Another solemn and still lovely piece written for this subject. You filled it with vivid imagery and I could hear Gordon Lightfoot singing in the background as I read your words. Thank you for entering this wonderful poem. I do hope to see many more. Best of luck to you in the contest and keep writing poet. seamaiden ♥
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