SEASCAPE 1……..Island Haven.
Atop the scour-scrubbed timber deck I stand
and gaze across the ocean t'ward the land.
Beyond the rippling waves an island lies
beneath white clouds and sunlit, azure skies.
Soft surf laps languidly along the beach
palm-fringed to where the glist'ning white sands reach.
Around the masthead circling, seabirds fly
white in the sunlight, making mournful cry.
Ah! Would I were a bird to soar the seas
rather than rooted, deckbound, while the breeze
slaps the white sails and sends us scudding fast
to island anchorage; landfall here at last.
A sailor's life is weary, hard and rough
and island paradise is heav’n enough.
SEASCAPE 2…..…...Seafaring.
Just to escape the smell of pitch and tar,
th’ eternal round of rope and hemp and spar,
the endless scrubbing decks, the night-watch stands
or mending sails with raw and frozen hands.
Or, leave the sound of grinding timbers, strained;
the creaking capstan and the anchor chained,
the flapping sail, the crack of windblown sheet,
the whine of icy rigging, rain and sleet:
The howling gales and towering waves that pour
their deluge over decks with deaf'ning roar,
the pitching of the ship in stormy sea
As though all hell's let loose and running free.
These are the trials of a sailing seaman's life.
Scant rest and far from sweetheart, home or wife.
Author notes
Here is the next stage #2 of my SEASCAPE Trilogy.
For those landlubbers who feel queezy please do NOT use the buckets which are for washing and scrubbing decks.
Scuppers are by both port and starboard rails!!
Written July 20th, 2004
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1 - 9 of 9
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Avast tharr Gregg!!
Howcome you haven't read "Seascape #3" while you've got your sea-legs, Matey?
Regards, Happy Easter, Hugh. -
Hugh, I really like the ryhthm and flow of these two sonnets. You made me feel like I was on deck with you and could expereince it alongside. Some nice imagery including smell, which was weird for me because I really noticed it as you were writing imagery surrounding the waters and could smell that ocean air as I was reading.
Guess you mentioned about the buckets from experience, right?
Gregg
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Wow this is so descriptive that I actually felt I was there, could smell the sea, and hear the birds. How awful to be stuck at sea, at least Javier has land, and others and isn't stuck with on a ship. I think he would die from cabin fever, only special men can be sailors. Though I have a friend Rudy who does the whole fishing thing in Alaska, and makes great loads of money, but he loves to be alone. Not me. Another wonderful write Hugh, Catressa
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I could read these over and over again and applaud each time love the salt in the air the ship tossing the seafaring language the all pervading thrill and sense of adventure
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Ok
I just want to know where all this inspiration is comming from my friend
And while you got it can you throw some my way
I am running low these days it seems
Love this
Love you too
Susan~~~
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Wonderful, Hugh You're doing a very good job of bringing the reader into the picture here. The seaspray, the wind, the icy rain and sleet...everything is so real, I'm right there, working and living among all those sailors..the only thing I don't like about all this is scrubbing those damn floors!!!! ...lol
It's a beautiful piece, and I love it Can hardly wait for the finale.
luv and
Dee
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great write
It's getting better & better. Can't wait for # 3. Great imagery, I can almost feel the icy blasts and the pitching of the deck.(oops gotta go find a bucket)
XXOOXX Anne -
I started to comment here but connection fell off. I didn't think that part 2 could be better than part 1, I was wrong! This is even more beautiful Hugh! It really shows the heart of a sailor that spent so long time way from home. Maybe there are some of the feelings you used to have in your traveling work life...
Excellent poem my dear Hugh!
Kisses and love,
Mari
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Hugh -
I like where this is going and I really want to thank you for allowing me to come on board for part 3. i look forward to being able to help you with the final chapter. I hope that I can do this wonderful piece justice.
Your sonneteering skills are top drawer and I appreciate all of the assisitance you have given.
Now lets go polish part three, I love the way this story ends...
Your forever Gen
Edited on Jul 20, 7:46 p.m. because 'supreme brain cramp'.
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