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Final Crossing

A thousand questions and a thousand souls,
With trepidation dwelling in her keep.
Anticipation as the ship bell tolls
That wakes the lost from sound yet restless sleep.
A thousand times she haunted me in dreams
And drowned me in the vastness of her span.
Within the rib cage of a schooner’s beams,
At last I cross her void to find my man.
I saved the monies earned from scrubbing floors
And kept my calloused knees unto myself.
The only way I knew to leave those shores
Was saving copper pennies on a shelf.
      In steerage class I pray the ocean's grace
      Will sail me safely to my love's embrace.

 

 

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Author notes

Contest prompt: "Give all to love; obey thy heart" - Raplh Waldo Emerson


Please recite in trochaic pentameter.
Trochaic tetrameter is also employed by Shakespeare in several instances to contrast with his usual blank verse (which is in iambic pentameter). For instance, in Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare frequently writes the lines of his fairies in catalectic trochaic tetrameter.

In a list

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 67 of 67

  • Goddess of illusion
    October 28

    Edit | Reply
    Speechless...

    Its beyond words sis...

    I applaud you as always...


  • SteveS gold member
    October 4
    Edit | Reply
    Very pretty sonnet. Much deserving of that shiny piece of recognition. I like that it is not so lofty, but rather incorporated with some raw detail for a great picture.


  • Masked Sonneteer
    October 3

    Edit | Reply
    Thank you for your entry.

    Full compliments on the delightful presentation and layout of your sonnet. An interesting meter choice made this a sonnet that stands out. Great idea! The flow lends to the content nicely giving a feeling of being at sea.

    Excellent read.

    Z


  • JinSays gold member
    September 29

    Edit | Reply
    oh, I loved this.
    I have nothing else to say...
    sigh, they've already said it before me, so I'll spare you.
    Love,
    jin


  • ZachP silver member
    September 23

    Edit | Reply
    Oh, Amera; this is such a beautiful poem. It's so amazing to read your work; because, for just a second, I'm swept into your little slice of sub-creation. This lovely sonnet is no exception. Your imagery is superb, and your story-telling is top notch.

    There are no words that do this poem justice.
    Best of luck,

    Blessed be,
    Zach Estel.


  • CitrineSunrise silver member
    September 20

    Edit | Reply
    You are the consummate storyteller and your sonnets always pack so much emotion and character development in these few short lines. I am never disappointed when I read your sonnets. Peace, Liz


  • GhostCloud
    September 18

    Edit | Reply
    shakespear is completely beyond my comprehension, okay? but i did enjoy your words. i felt haunted by a memory of something that i didn't know i had or whatev.

    anyway, nice job

    p.s. i read somewhere the shakespear didn't really write his own stuff but you do at least, so congrats


  • marandah gold member
    September 18

    Edit | Reply
    I don't understand tetrameters and parameters but I know that the words of this poem stirred my soul.


  • darell
    September 18

    Edit | Reply

    wonderful

    this was an inspiring tale of the human
    spirit in its relentless pursuit of that
    which makes the heart swoon.
    Love is the only thing that can stir
    another person's soul to such a degree
    where they would sacrifice so much
    with no guarantees in life whatsoever.
    We are indeed a fool for love. Good work


  • Nickelspring gold member
    September 18
    Edit | Reply
    Forgot these..


  • Nickelspring gold member
    September 18

    Edit | Reply

    Excellent!

    This is so well done! I love it. It conveys so well the longings of crossing the vast ocean to reunite true love.
    "Within the rib cage of a schooner’s beams," I just love that!!
    Truly lovely!

    K


  • RetroPanda
    September 18

    Edit | Reply
    Wow. This was beautiful. This is deep and meaningful. The love in this poem can be felt by the reader. I especially liked the lines:
    A thousand times she haunted me in dreams
    And drowned me in the vastness of her span.

    Great write.


  • Swangrnv gold member
    September 18

    Edit | Reply

    goodness..

    this is sweet! a nice loving 'song' to soothe a troubled soul..loved this my friend..


  • laura0757 gold member
    September 18

    Edit | Reply
    What a beautiful poem, its a full poem, meaning it has substance which I love.to read in other's poetry great read for a great writer


    • laura0757 gold member
      September 18
      Edit | Reply
      oh yes i know i did not get any points, its not because of the points I commented twice, I could give a rats ass about points, for me its all about the enjoyment of reading something more than once and finding something new some times, if I am foolish about the points. then so be it, I am a fool for being honest.

  • A muse
    September 18

    Edit | Reply

    Lovely

    This is beautiful and flows nicely. I am not educated in poetry and don't know the terms you use about form, but I do appreciate it. perhaps you could explain...?
    Takes me back to a time when ships were the only way to travel and letters took much time to be delivered and read. We don't know how that would be with instant communication at our fingertips. Thank you for this romantic poem.


  • Emile
    September 17

    Edit | Reply

    very Good

    Your words play within our hearts and their magic comes alive. Your words burn onto the page and the reader feels a rise in pulse. The message is clear and truly poetically expressed. You tell a story with such freshness and reality that it soon attaches itself to our reality and we take partial ownership of the emotions poured forth.


  • Wolfdog silver member
    September 17

    Edit | Reply

    Excellent

    'tis a fine write with very good imagery, indeed, which I thoroughly enjoyed. LYou expressed your thoughts quite well. Thanks for sharing.


  • kiwigirljacks gold member
    September 17

    Edit | Reply
    Aww.. I could see her scrubbing the floors, tucking away the pennies so she could find a way to her loved one. A great tale you have woven from the quote here Sis. Beautifully done

  • daggertrepe
    September 16
    Edit | Reply
    Beautiful! This is true poetry.


  • darlee77 gold member
    September 16

    Edit | Reply
    Wonderful imagery. Great determination and will power. Great write. God bless.


  • Desire gold member
    September 15

    Edit | Reply

    Oh My Word~

    You sail this with precision and pristine Imagery
    Tugs hard at Spirit~
    Form pulls and Mesmerized me
    Swelled the eyes~
    Love the way this rolled off the tongue~~~~
    Bravo! Another Excellent verse
    Felt as if there~
    Keep that quill dancing

    Thank You for sharing Your Talent
    Best wishes in the contest
    with love & light~ Desire~*~

  • catstar
    September 14

    Edit | Reply
    Fantastic! The story flows so effortlessly you find the mind drifting with the poem as you go through. The end leaves you feeling complete and captivated, like most good thousand page books do. This beautiful. Thank you for sharing it.


  • Poetic-Theorem silver member
    September 14

    Edit | Reply
    Sheesh, how did I miss this one
    Beautiful love sonnet you have penned
    The imagery is splendid
    and as always your words, flow, and rhyme blows me away

    One has to just love a happy ending
    an ending with great hope uniting with her lover*sigh*
    Bravo

    Wish you the best in the contest
    Much love my friend

    David


  • PassionsPromise gold member
    September 13

    Edit | Reply
    Oh now this is beautiful love
    i enjoyed the whole piece although
    the end reeled me in.

    Lovely job good luck

    Passions

  • swifty562
    September 12
    Edit | Reply
    Yes I was really good enjoy all your poetr


  • Mountain Woman gold member
    September 12

    Edit | Reply
    Loved the last two lines. Awsome.

    Michelle


  • smitaanand
    September 12

    Edit | Reply
    This is a really beautiful poem written aptly comlementing and describing the given prompt,I really enjoyed reading it.


  • RazorbladeKiss14
    September 12

    Edit | Reply
    This is so sweet, I loved it and it was very good! Great job and great write!!!


  • RazorbladeKiss14
    September 12
    Edit | Reply
    Wow this is such a pretty poem, it left me speechless in a very good way, the love it just shines though it all and you did a fantasic job on this!!!! I loved every word of it!!!


  • SteveS gold member
    September 11

    Edit | Reply
    Really nice. That trochaic tetrameter is interesting as well. On it with the sonnet!


  • Bluemonday silver member
    September 11

    Edit | Reply
    A beautifully written poem hauntingly deliciously lovingly. A wonderful use of words and expressions here to create such an evocative poem...loved it..Dan


  • laura0757 gold member
    September 10
    Edit | Reply
    what a wonderful poem, I can feel the beat of it..............great writing, it makes me want to write even better when I read this......


  • harrispoems silver member
    September 10

    Edit | Reply

    Ahoy!

    Your Shakespearean Sonnet captures this tale wonderfully! The way in which your poem flows makes the reader feel like he's crossing the Atlantic!


  • Uniquely-Scarred
    September 10

    Edit | Reply
    THE VERY last line is really nice, it ties the poem up nicely

  • Eusebius
    September 10

    Edit | Reply
    Oh, excellent, excellent, excellent! Everything about this poem works perfectly, rhyme, meter, theme... Just a brilliant write!
    "Within the rib cage of a schooner’s beams.."
    man I wished I'd written that! Did I say I love it? I do, you know!


  • awannabepoet
    September 10

    Edit | Reply
    Ah yes what a wonderful tale you do tell and in such fine form as always, another great write coming from your pen and once again inspiration I do see.

    Thank you so very much for sharing your great talent.

    awannabepoet


  • PerVirtuous
    September 10

    Edit | Reply
    This is a wonderful sonnet, with your unique signature of being both a sonnet and a story. How well you give us little pieces and we can make a huge picture from them! It is a singular talent. I stand in awe. not only do you capture the story, but the feelings of the character. Bravo.

  • Bad Bill
    September 10

    Edit | Reply
    This fits perfectly with the prompt and is a beautifully-fashioned sonnet. Hats off to you!

    Bill


  • C.I.M.A Punk
    September 9

    Edit | Reply
    It's a very sweet and romantic sonnet with a superb rhythm.
    You are truly the queen of forms.

    Great job!


  • Cup-a-Joe
    September 9

    Edit | Reply
    How did I miss this? I read it like it was written just for me. Wow.

    Joe


  • trekkergirl
    September 8

    Edit | Reply
    a sonnet... i haven't read a sonnet since high school... wow. I had all but forgotten about them. Thanks. For bringing back memories of high school. Dunno. Didn't like high school all that much. can't say that about your sonnet though. Excellent write. Very romantic which is basically all I remember about the sonnets I read in school.


  • masterblaster gold member
    September 8

    Edit | Reply
    Hi, what a lovely romantic sonnet, this was a joy to read, Di


  • StarEyes
    September 8

    Edit | Reply
    What a great job you did on this one!!! I know the feelings of saving "all copper pennies" to pay to get to the one you love.....*sigh* Seems like it is taking forever! Another amazing write from the "Form Queen" of All Poetry!

    Best of luck in this contest!

    and love

    Nyetta


  • Andre ben-YEHU
    September 8

    Edit | Reply

    Bountiful~Beautiful...


    A revival of the old days maritime fantasy and romance. A beautiful account of a daring soul. A story of an accomplishment of a perseverant dreamer stimulated by love.

    "Final Crossing" enchants and inspires this voyager on the shores of dreams.

    In respect and admiration,

    Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU


  • Ken-Maverick
    September 8
    Edit | Reply
    This is a winner!!!


  • Black Narcissus gold member
    September 8

    Edit | Reply
    Your probably the best sonnet writer on the site are you sure you entered the right contest ?


    • Amera gold member
      September 8
      Edit | Reply
      I think this is the right contest; the other one is for iambic pentameter. This poem is trochaic pentameter.
      ------
      Ok, they told me to move it to the expert contest and they’d accept it.


  • Lulu Gee silver member
    September 8

    Edit | Reply
    But I need to know more.....a sonnet is not enough, you have drawn me in and left me....haha!!
    A wonderful poem Amera, I love every word you've penned here.
    Luv Lu x


  • Mairi bheag gold member
    September 8

    Edit | Reply
    You - a newcomer to the sonnet? Nah, surely not, Sis.




    • Amera gold member
      September 8
      Edit | Reply
      But this poem didn't fit the other contest as it called for iambic pentameter.
      ----
      Ok, they told me to move it to the expert contest and they’d accept it.


  • Pure Thought silver member
    September 7

    Edit | Reply
    Come sail to my arms, I await thee
    no other hands my heart can hold.
    As for the callouses upon thy knees
    We'll make damn good use of those.

    My muse made me type this.

    Love you work as always.
    Buddy


  • blueyez
    September 7

    Edit | Reply
    I so love sonnets and you write them like no one else can! This was beautiful! I loved the verbage and the wonderful imagery penned in this!


  • Wandika gold member
    September 7

    Edit | Reply

    Just a wonderful write

    A perfect sonnet and a lovely story line.

    Jim


  • Ethereal One gold member
    September 7

    Edit | Reply

    beautiful!

    Your words weave such a tender tale of determination and love. I enjoyed all of the imagery, and your rhyme is excellent.

    Good luck in this contest!

    Jeannette


  • nordicsky silver member
    September 7

    Edit | Reply
    I’ve seen her face in a reproduction of a faded daguerreotype image in the museum on Ellis Island.
    She stood in the immigration hall with shawl around her shoulders and a look of hope in her eyes. I wonder if she made it.

    In my travels, I’ve stored thousands of images in my memory and they are just waiting for your poetry to bring them to life.

    Thanks for posting this,
    Love, Peter


  • Denerica silver member
    September 7

    Edit | Reply
    Simply beautiful with a touch of mystery, like knowing who are and need but still I search effect for me...deep. Excellent. Blessings.

  • JinSays gold member
    September 7
    Edit | Reply
    beautiful.
    that's it really

    love,
    jin


  • Poetic-Theorem silver member
    September 7
    Edit | Reply
    Brilliant as always my dear
    Flows very well and the imagery is captivating
    A sonnet is perfect for love...
    Your elegant words flow with loving emotions
    Love a hopeful happy ending
    Bravo

    Wish you the best in the contest
    Much love my friend

    David


  • Desire gold member
    September 7
    Edit | Reply

    Beautiful~

    Wow~ I kept reading this and read again-
    Just Loved the way this sailed...flowed....
    across the page~ Powerful Imagery also
    Emotions- calm smooth sailing~
    Brilliant~

    Keep that quill dancing

    Thank You for sharing Your Talent
    Best wishes in the contest Sweet One
    with love & light~ Desire~*~


  • darkyinsoul
    September 7

    Edit | Reply
    Excellent as always my friend
    your imagery is captivating
    and your word choice is superb
    thanks for the share
    Darky


  • Legend silver member
    September 7
    Edit | Reply
    Out comes my stamp

    EXCELLENT

1 - 67 of 67