Laura Jayne at Pictures, Poetry & Prose poses a daily writing challenge.This poem is in response to the prompt "Grief".
The Dark Ship
What ho, my Captain! What lies ahead?
He stood a while, as savouring the brine
Before turning and locking eyes with mine.
He spoke and, with a hollowness, said
“I sail the dark seas in inner dread,
Dark is the world within my head”.
And the ship sailed on through the night-o,
The ship sailed on through the night.
What ho, my Captain! What hope is there?
Surely there’s hope the dark will lift
When your vessel is strong and travelling so swift?
Wont you progress past the seas of despair?
He reached and gently touched my hair
“We’re going at speed but I know not where.”
And the ship sailed on through the night-o,
The ship sailed on through the night.
What ho, my Captain! Can you be saved?
This took him aback and he thought a while
“I can” he said “but the voices beguile.
Our thoughts are to darkness enslaved,
No matter how much release is craved,
We are on a trip that cannot be waived.”
And the ship sailed on through the night-o,
The ship sailed on through the night.
What ho, my Captain! Can we turn back?
“There’s no going back, what’s past is done.
The only way’s forward once it’s begun.
And this is why things look so black
And things weigh heavy upon my back
But I look for some light, the barest crack.
And the ship sailed on through the night-o,
The ship sailed on through the night.
What ho, my Captain! When comes the dawn?
“For every dawn, must precede a night
Passage through these cold waters is a rite
That lives in you, it is never gone.
At best, the dark is just withdrawn
And we can but bravely struggle on.”
And the ship sailed on through the night-o,
The ship sailed on through the night.
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© J Cosmo Newbery
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Been having a rush of blood lately? Can't sleep? Interesting variety of topics you have been choosing.
ReplyDeleteyah, grief is something that just needs to be sailed through. eventually it does get lighter though ..
ReplyDeleteIs it being that you are in need of attending to by a man who is in possession of a large leather couch? I am thinking you are behaving mostly darky.
ReplyDeleteI catch your drift. Me, I'm awash in a sea of ice. 48 hours sub-arctic temps sans electricity and counting. Had to abandon ship. Stolen moments on a borrowed computer. Camping out in an office. Reading your poetry is a respite... even if the prompt was grief. Loved this dark ship; very good stuff.
ReplyDeleteLee: variety, the spice of life.
ReplyDeleteFoam: Yes, doesn't always look that way though.
PTM: Thank you.
Sometimes Sophia: I do not like the cold. All systems shut down. Heat I can take. Hope power and warmth return to your life soon.
Why is it being that this lady who is only being sometimes is getting her name in fullness where as I am being a permanent Princess and I am being reduced to being a set of letters as is being found on the fronts of common cars?
ReplyDeleteAs always j cosmo, beautifully written, you amaze me with your ability to always rise to the challenge. ♥
ReplyDeleteLack of sleep is inspirational for your writing. Well written and elegant work...sounds like a sea shanty. I was wondering why you use to wear that eye patch walking around with a parrot on your shoulder singing yo ho ho and a bottle of rum. Try to sleep and remember beware of the jub jub bird....
ReplyDelete