Enough of poverty. Enough of no future.
Taking a sail across the Atlantic Ocean
to a new life! From fishing in Scotland
to work in the pulp mills of western Canada
and all this work, to save for a large family
to ride steamship and train across the country
to their new home. What lay ahead?
All married sons,and some unmarried daughters, great grandmother, greatgrandfather
my grandmother, grandfather, my three year old mother
from Liverpool on a steamship....One basket of
food. Oatcakes, and tinned fin and haddies (haddock with
potatoes) and tea bags, mugs and a tea pot.
They made it through sea sickness, and arrived in Montreal,
where they went through immigration in cell like rooms
to be checked, healthwise and for security reasons.
Then onto the steam locomotive across the wide country
of Canada to its' west coast to begin a life anew. Just a
new beginning for little Chrissie in her new homeland,
and all her relatives with her. Who would know the depression
was ahead of them that they would have to face, and the
adventures that lay ahead for Chrissie and her family, she
being so young.
So many Europeans, and British were coming over for a new
start in Canada and the New United States..The railroad
companies were advertising for settlers, on farmland, and
people with business skills to develop their businesses
in the cities cropping up across the land.
This was a new era, and new experiences lay ahead for all.
Author notes
Both sides of my parentage, took the daring step, to travel around half the world for a new chance at life, and I am not sorry, and I really admire them. Some day I am going to write of my mothers' adventures as a little Scotch girl adapting to life on the Pacific Ocean from the North Sea.
This is a *POD* entry for a contest on Uncommon themes
A contest entry
- Poem of the Day ( 24 Hour Quickie ) by Arkbear.
500 points, ended October 27, 2007, 15 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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another great poem
i liked the part below
All married sons,and some unmarried daughters, great grandmother, greatgrandfather
my grandmother, grandfather, my three year old mother
from Liverpool on a steamship....One basket of
food. Oatcakes, and tinned fin and haddies (haddock with
potatoes) and tea bags, mugs and a tea pot.
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Beautiful, wonderful story on your family history. It shows the grit and determination they had back then, over what we are like today. If we had that determination this world would be different.
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Hi Rosemary,
Well...I can honestly say this is the first time I've had to seriously put my "unbiased" glasses on for an entry, as seldom do poets I know enter the PO contests.
It's good to see you here though, and I adore your poem. 
I have done extensive research on my own family's history, written essays about my ancestors, yet never have I considered it as a topic for poetry. Very unique!
I am so glad the short story format of this was allowed this week. The two areas this will be hardest hit are in the presentation and not having POD in your author notes.
The lines are extremely varied in length, and it gives the poem a look of disarray and unorganization. Understandibly, it is a lot of information to impart and would create quite a long poem if broken into shorter lines, but it might be worth it to play with it a bit if you wish.
I loved the personal peek into your family's history and the strength of which you write about. There's a lot of heart in this write, and I'm thrilled to see it in the POD.
Good luck and best wishes, hun
~J. -
Wow ~
I have to give props to you for sharing this unique story with us ~
There is strength to be found and a heritage which I'm sure you would trade for nothing in this world....or the next ~
However.....this went from Poetic form, into *short story* format quickly.....nonetheless, I did not say in this POD that you had to use Poetic form ~
I found this to be one of the better reads...but I was still hoping for a poetic format ~
The imagery is outstanding.....the feelings are special.....the interpretation is great ~
Thank you for joining us this week and sharing with us a part of your lifes history ~
You also forgot to place the *POD* in your Authors' Notes....as well as your *Theme*.....even though after reading it, I get it.....but that's not the point......the rules say to place it in there :(
PLEASE WAIT FOR JULIE TO REVIEW YOUR WORK BEFORE ANY EDITING...if so desired :)
Let's see how your entry scored!
Bear ~
Title 9.4
Flow 9.5
Depth 10
Theme 10
Feelings 10
Grammar 9.4
Presentation 8.9
Uncommonness 9.4
Sit & Ponder Affect 8.9
Ability to follow Rules 9
Bears Score: 94.5
Very nice score Poet ~
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Wonderful story.
Best wishes in the contest!
*PEACE*
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A wonderful read my beautiful Rose!...This would make a very good book!...Thank you kindly for share your family
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A great journey you have taken me on there. Sounds like it will be an enjoyable book as well. Best of luck in the contest!
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