Group Poem XX
Re: Group Poem XX
The Shipwreck
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
Re: Group Poem XX
The Shipwreck
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
Ars longa, vita brevis
Re: Group Poem XX
The Shipwreck
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees
Re: Group Poem XX
The Shipwreck
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
Ars longa, vita brevis
Re: Group Poem XX
The Shipwreck
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
NB: To allow the narrative to be completed satisfactorily, there will be two more stanzas than originally planned (i.e. 8 stanzas in all).
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
NB: To allow the narrative to be completed satisfactorily, there will be two more stanzas than originally planned (i.e. 8 stanzas in all).
Re: Group Poem XX
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
Ars longa, vita brevis
Re: Group Poem XX
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
Re: Group Poem XX
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
Then the glow from the lifeboats became our lone guides
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
Then the glow from the lifeboats became our lone guides
Ars longa, vita brevis
Re: Group Poem XX
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
Then the glow from the lifeboats became our lone guides—
Would we land, or be pitched out and drown?
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
Then the glow from the lifeboats became our lone guides—
Would we land, or be pitched out and drown?
Re: Group Poem XX
Re: Group Poem XX
by Audiendus » Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:02 am
The Shipwreck
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
Then the glow from the lifeboats became our lone guides—
Would we land, or be pitched out and drown?
For a time we all managed to stay boat to boat
by Audiendus » Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:02 am
The Shipwreck
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
Then the glow from the lifeboats became our lone guides—
Would we land, or be pitched out and drown?
For a time we all managed to stay boat to boat
Ars longa, vita brevis
Re: Group Poem XX
The Shipwreck
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
Then the glow from the lifeboats became our lone guides—
Would we land, or be pitched out and drown?
For a time we all managed to stay boat to boat
But the phalanx of lights soon dispersed
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
Then the glow from the lifeboats became our lone guides—
Would we land, or be pitched out and drown?
For a time we all managed to stay boat to boat
But the phalanx of lights soon dispersed
Re: Group Poem XX
Re: Group Poem XX
Postby Audiendus » Tue Aug 05, 2014 6:56 pm
The Shipwreck
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
Then the glow from the lifeboats became our lone guides—
Would we land, or be pitched out and drown?
For a time we all managed to stay boat to boat
But the phalanx of lights soon dispersed
To the point it was hard to account for the souls
Postby Audiendus » Tue Aug 05, 2014 6:56 pm
The Shipwreck
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
Then the glow from the lifeboats became our lone guides—
Would we land, or be pitched out and drown?
For a time we all managed to stay boat to boat
But the phalanx of lights soon dispersed
To the point it was hard to account for the souls
Ars longa, vita brevis
Re: Group Poem XX
The Shipwreck
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
Then the glow from the lifeboats became our lone guides—
Would we land, or be pitched out and drown?
For a time we all managed to stay boat to boat
But the phalanx of lights soon dispersed
To the point it was hard to account for the souls
And the men with me shrugged, wept, or cursed.
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
Then the glow from the lifeboats became our lone guides—
Would we land, or be pitched out and drown?
For a time we all managed to stay boat to boat
But the phalanx of lights soon dispersed
To the point it was hard to account for the souls
And the men with me shrugged, wept, or cursed.
Re: Group Poem XX
The Shipwreck
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
Then the glow from the lifeboats became our lone guides—
Would we land, or be pitched out and drown?
For a time we all managed to stay boat to boat
But the phalanx of lights soon dispersed
To the point it was hard to account for the souls
And the men with me shrugged, wept, or cursed.
In the end, there was one light—on boat on the beach
When the crew felt a surge in the strength of the wind
They all knew right away they were sunk
And the captain said "Aye, 'tis an ominous sign"
As a rope hit the deck with a clunk.
But a sailor will never give in to the sea
And the helmsman with boldness opined:
"We will probably die in this damnable squall
But we'll fight it with hope in our mind".
So we battened the hatches and took down the sails
As a wave tore the flags from a mast
And the swells were as high as the ocean is deep
When the wheelhouse was smashed by the blast.
We were all on our knees—some for fear, some for prayer—
While the captain consulted his maps
With a visage forlorn, he looked out at the storm
Then he mused: "There's an island, perhaps..."
"If an island there be, let's weigh anchor straightway
For we're listing at 30 degrees"
Then by effort or grace, the ship's listing reversed
And they launched all the lifeboats with ease.
Since we labored in darkness, each boat burned a lamp
And we watched the ship break and go down
Then the glow from the lifeboats became our lone guides—
Would we land, or be pitched out and drown?
For a time we all managed to stay boat to boat
But the phalanx of lights soon dispersed
To the point it was hard to account for the souls
And the men with me shrugged, wept, or cursed.
In the end, there was one light—on boat on the beach
Ars longa, vita brevis
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
- Posts: 4423
- Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2009 6:16 pm
- Location: Land of the Flat Water
Re: Group Poem XX
Fantastic you guys, so cohesive! awaiting the end.
-----please, draw me a sheep-----
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