So, this poem is late, (which I understand earns me hosting duties for June.) It is not what I want it to be, but then, this is just a game, right? Right? So I am resigning myself to coming in last in every sense of the word.
The Voyager
I knew a seaman once, an ancient chap;
Laconic, but, with prompting he would tell
Of ports, and girls (as every sailor will,)
Strange cargoes, favorite ships, or storms at sea.
One evening, late, (and he was in his cups)
Out poured a story that I'd never heard:
"She was a beauty, was my ship, the Dawn.
And we were all a crew of volunteers.
A royal ship! The captains name was Drin
(Or so we called him --never to his face!)
At any rate, the day that I signed on
They said there might be perils, and there were!
But marvels too, both fair and evil. When
We'd sailed so far the water was not deep
Enough to float us, one brave soul --
A talking mouse (those were quite common, then.) --
Launched out his tiny craft, and paddled on.
We turned for home. Ah, this was long ago..."
The sailor's voice by then had sunk quite low
And I can not be sure what else he said,
But, were I pressed, then I would quote him thus:
"I wish I could have traveled on with him."
Word: laconic
Question: How far east have you been?
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3 comments:
+JMJ+
That was my question and I'm THRILLED with what you've done with it! =D
What I had in mind when I thought of it was the faerie tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon--but The Voyage of the "Dawn Treader" does me one better.
Now that I think about it, how nice would it be to know what happened to the rest of the crew--those not "important" enough to be named characters in the novel--after they returned home.
I love the way this poem evokes a real sense of story . . . and of longing.
Oh, that's interesting! Very good, indeed! I echo Enbrethiliel's praise. (And I love pentameter!)
Woohoo, a nautical story poem. I like that very much. The rhythm flows easily, and as you well know, stories and storytellers are some of my favorites in poetry.
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