Shipwreck…
How long have I lain upon this deck, of a ship that’s tempest tossed…
Like a man that’s died, no longer cares, and fears the world is lost.
Am I a coward, or simply tired, of fighting waves so large…
I must get up, and find my way, or wait on the funeral barge.
Once upon a time that’s past, the sails were full and proud…
She rode the waves, and sailed the world, with love upon her bow.
A crew of two, and love so true, is how she tamed the waves…
Happy times, and days of mirth, is what she always gave.
Then came the storms that cracked the main, and set my world adrift…
A crew of two, with love so true, but the faith began to slip.
So here we stand, on separate ends, of a ship that seems so long…
I think back on the love and faith, and wonder where they’ve gone.
After a black, and terrible storm, I found that you were gone…
I stood upon the empty deck, and loudly sang our song.
I cursed the waves, that brought me here, and fought to save my ship…
The thunder was loud, the rocks too close, my feet began to slip.
How long have I lain upon this deck, of a ship that’s tempest tossed…
Like a man that’s died, no longer cares, and fears the world is lost.
I must get up, and save myself, to remain here is to die…
But the loss is deep, there is no sleep, and the stars just make me cry.
But I will stand upon the shore, and search the waves so blue…
And hope my love is strong enough, to find someone that’s true.
Ron Walker August 1998
Very good Ron. I loved it! I was tempted to copy a work of my own called “Adrift” here, but thought it might detract from your own work which, based on this sample, deserves due respect. Again … very good Ron. Loved it.
Thank you, Colin. I appreciate the kind words. It has been a slow week, and I have been trying to find something to blog. I was going through some files on the computer and found my poems again. Post anything you like Colin, I love sharing.
This seems appropriate to post here, and so with Ron’s kind permission …. “Adrift”
They stepped into the boat.
He took the oars…
And rowed them away from the dock.
A few minutes later,
He put them down…
And the boat just drifted.
“A wonderful time to talk”,
At least that was his thought.
With the sound of the water,
And the rhythm of the boat,
Surely this must be the time?
But then his mind just drifted.
He thought about past times.
She looked preoccupied
But he had no idea why.
He asked her if she felt okay.
She turned away, with a sigh,
And his voice just drifted.
He quickly changed the subject,
Not understanding her response.
He wanted, after all, to make amends.
He tried to talk about their families.
He tried to talk about their friends,
But… her mind just drifted.
She remembered years ago.
He was quite different then.
Considerate and always there for her.
He was her lover, husband and friend.
Now she thinks – does he really care?
And her eyes just drifted.
She watched some birds
But… really did not see.
She was looking across the river
To avoid eye contact with him.
What would her future be?
And the question just drifted.
She knew what to say
But… not how to say it.
She knew what she wanted in time.
He was no longer the man
She wanted holding her hand.
And her thoughts just drifted.
He watched in despair and thought,
“I can’t take all the blame.
It takes two to forget and to forgive.
I can’t do this on my own
But then, I need my life to live.”
And his emotions just drifted.
He wanted what he had before.
The girl he married; the girl he adored;
But life just seemed to intervene
And take them different ways.
Nothing now was how it had been,
And his memories just drifted.
He picked up the oars
Rowed back to the dock,
And helped her out of the boat.
She turned around and thanked him,
But remembered the letter he wrote,
And her mind just drifted.
She remembered his words
To that other woman.
She remembered the pain inside.
She remembered the feelings,
Of rejection and betrayal,
And how their relationship drifted.
He watched her sadly walk away
Then… getting off the boat,
He pushed it out into the river.
It started to move very slowly.
He turned, but there was nothing to say,
And the boat just drifted.
They both watched it move
Carried away by the current.
A boat also with nothing to say.
They looked at each other,
Empty and lost,
And the boat just drifted away.
A great work Colin, it held me to the last, and I felt as each part drifted. Thanks for sharing it.
Many thanks for agreeing to it Ron. 🙂
Thanks for searching out your poem, Ron. Rich with analogy about the journey of life, love, and loss, and resonant for so many reasons.
I think there is a time, maybe more than one time, when we can each feel as if we are lost in a stormy sea.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Pete. I have not written anything in a long time. I’m glad that you enjoyed it, I have seen stormy seas, as I’m sure most of us have. I love the journey of life.
I enjoyed both poems here, yours and the other. Thanks for again showing us that heart under the motorcycle uniform you wore.
Thanks, Elizabeth. It has always been there, just kept under a veneer while I worked. I was always business when need be, but the heart and compassion was always at hand. Good people called me Officer Ron, criminals gave me the nickname of Ice Man, but several told me at least I was fair in dealing with them, treating them as men, and not on an ego trip.
Thanks for the sweet comment tonight.
I hope your health is holding up and that you and your wife had a peaceful Thanksgiving.
Wonderful!
Thank you so very much.
Excellent poem, Ron!
Thank you, Ellie. I appreciate that. Always a pleasure to see that smile. It’s been a hectic Christmas week with a house full of visiting family.
Nothing beats family at this time! Happy Holidays Ron, to you and Michelle!