Many a brave sailor was lost in the gales of the Atlantic around the island of Newfoundland...
On an island of rock swept by wind sea and rain
She sits in a seaman’s cabin and whispers his name
He was a deckhand at fourteen, a mate two years later
At twenty he became skipper of the ship “Regulator”
From St John’s to St Pierre he carried codfish and rum
The shores of Newfoundland is from where he did come
Weathered the gales of November held fast at the helm
Wrestled the rocks and the icebergs that to some overwhelm
He asked for her hand in the first thaw of spring
In a sleepy fishing village he gave her a ring
Started a family to keep her company at home
While he followed his passion the sea he did roam
She kept a tiny red light ablaze every night
One he could see as a beacon when in sight
Said her prayers on her knees as she gazed out to sea
Longed for his safe return whenever that would be
When his first born turned eight and his youngest was two
News came from the harbour the Regulator was overdue
Heavy hearted she climbed to their bedroom upstairs
And put out the red light with the dew from her tears.
What a romantic tale Felix. I had no idea this was in you (or maybe I did). It is good enough to publish and will be one I keep and savour again. I agree with Kate in her assessment of the poem and especially the effectivity of the last lines. Well done!
Chanti
Not just a sad tale of the sea and sad loss, but the last verse is so powerful in that it speaks of such a depth of kinship and longing - and an understanding when things are "at an end" somehow. The neatness of your image of putting out the flame with her tears is outstanding. Bless your tender heart and thank you. Kate xx
Ah Felix, you touch my heart with this one. Come to think of it, you've been doing that alot lately!
Reminds me of the Perfect Storm..
I can understand the excitement and mystery behind the monsterous sea..
Beautiful poetry Felix!
The sea has swallowed many a brave sailor and left too many widows and children behind. I love these Sea Tales, Felix. They are wonderful stories and your rhyme is perfect.
Take care,
Sherry
I like that you refer to Newfoundland in this poem. I live clear across on the Pacific Coast but you make me feel a kinship here, Felix since that to which you refer is where my ancestors from Brittany, France came to fish year after year. Most interesting write, all that aside. You reeled me in with this one big time. Thanks. Love and peace always. Regis
Reviewed by karen beecher (Reader)
Reviewed on February 25, 2005
A light in the window tho bright it may be, can't bring them back when they are lost at sea. Very sad, but true. Karen
Reviewed by Judy Lloyd (Reader)
Reviewed on February 25, 2005
That is why the lighthouse was so important. Yes the sad tales of a love lost at sea.
A well-told story of a poem. It reminds me one of the legendary story that I had heard when I was a child. It has something to do with one of the rocks at one of the mountain tops in Hong Kong.
I enjoyed this story of a poem. Although it is sad, but is very well-told and interesting.
From First Love to its destructive end and on to new beginnings, Mary Angela Nangini's poems explore the birth and death of a relationship. The powerful poems are presented in two parts with an introduction to her next book My Ontario Beautiful. (Th
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This book is a limited edition, and copies are hand numbered. It will NOT be available through Amazon or other distributors. You must purchase it directly from the author or from this site. It is hard-back (not the spiral bind seen
Inspirational poetry, written from the heart and soul. Verses that are well-suited for reading on a rainy day and that are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
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Chanti
Reminds me of the Perfect Storm..
I can understand the excitement and mystery behind the monsterous sea..
Beautiful poetry Felix!
Lisa
Take care,
Sherry
I enjoyed this story of a poem. Although it is sad, but is very well-told and interesting.
Sandie May Angel a.k.a. Sandie Angel :o)