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Open Poetry #6
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Lone Wolf
Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842
Lansing, MI USA

0 posted 2000-03-24 11:37 PM


The lighthouse is standing still
    Overlooking Whitefish Bay
Come with me up the hill
    To remember that fateful day

It was many years ago
    That tragedy walked these shores
Hidden dangers far below
    Built up through ancient lores

No one really knows the story
    Of why things happened like they did
The ship went down in all her glory
    Farewell to the crew was bid

They came from many walks of life
    To work here on the lakes
They lived in harmony not in strife
    Until the day of their wakes

The storm blew up out of nowhere
    Bringing violent raging gales
All they could do was stare
    When it suddenly started to hail

The lifeboats were ripped apart
    Right at their seams
No soul could depart
    Or escape the awful screams

They worked valiantly to save her
    Although the water kept rushing in
Six Fathom Shoals as it were
    Ripped through the hull like tin

The mighty ship made a beeline
    For the safety of Whitefish Bay
But her engines were miserably in decline
    On the bottom she was destined to lay

The captain hoped that they could make it
    Limping slowly inch by inch
No matter how hard they tried it just didn't fit
    They will not get out of this pinch

Some men were young some men were old
    All their futures full of hope
They faced their death as has been told
    While they clung to life's thin rope

On the anniversary of that fateful night
    Their names are read aloud
To behold it is a sight
    A hush falls on the gathered crowd

As each sailor's name is read
    The ship's bell mournfully tolls
There is weeping for the dead
    And rememberance for all lost souls


*This was written with the wreck of the ore carrier Edmund Fitzgerald in mind.  It went down on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975.  There were no survivors.  The ship's bell has been raised and is kept at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point, Michigan.  I was fortunate enough to visit there last summer and was inspired to write this poem.  Hope you all enjoy it.


 Friends are friend forever if the Lord's the Lord of them and a friend will not say never cause the welcome will not end.
--Michael W. Smith

© Copyright 2000 Jennifer L. Garcia - All Rights Reserved
Lost Dreamer
Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464
Somewhere near the Rainbow
1 posted 2000-03-24 11:43 PM


Excellent job! I was taken away into this poem, You made it feel like it was happening right before me.
VampDude
Junior Member
since 2000-03-24
Posts 21
Canada
2 posted 2000-03-24 11:50 PM


This poem is truly amazing, I loved every minute of it. Great job Wolf, I look forward seeing more of your work!
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
3 posted 2000-03-25 12:03 PM


Excellent story told well!!
Sven
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
4 posted 2000-03-25 01:28 AM


It would seem that there are many who have been touched by the wreck of the Fitzgerald. . . I have also been to the Museum and was moved by the sight of the bell there. . . this is an excellent poem, we can only wonder what happened that fateful night in November. . . and we can only mourn for those lives lost forever to those gales. . .

An excellent poem, shows good depth and very good form. . .

-----------------------------------------------------

 That which gives light must endure burning
--Victor Frankl


Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
5 posted 2000-03-25 01:46 AM


I'm a total lighthouse/shipwreck nut, so I loved this, naturally!

I've got one about the Brother Jonathan, I will dig it up, and post it, if you don't mind!

corinne

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
6 posted 2000-03-25 01:50 AM


What a wonderful tale you've told  
Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
7 posted 2000-03-25 02:22 AM


Lone Wolf~

I am awed by the poetic telling of this tale.
You have paid a wonderful tribute to the carrier and her crew.

'Some men were young some men were old
All their futures full of hope'

This is the tragedy of the tragedy.
What a wonderful line.

How vividly you brought the storm to life.
I was swept along in this piece of history from Whitefish Bay.

Perhaps the museum would like a copy
of this poem to place alongside the
ship's bell.
~*Marge*~



 ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com


Tess
Member
since 2000-03-22
Posts 288
Australia
8 posted 2000-03-25 07:13 AM


Anything to do with the sea is always a winner for me..and I love these story type poems....I really enjoyed reading this  

 "What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two
bodies."
-Aristotle


Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

9 posted 2000-03-25 08:43 AM


Excellent poem, Lone Wolf! Very well written!

Denise

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

10 posted 2000-03-25 09:10 AM


Lone,
this is EXCELLENT!!!!
superb story telling and images...and the fact that you were so moved by this event that you were inspired to write this..speaks volumes about your compassionate heart.
very good work on this.
take care, jm

 Do you live by the book, do you play by the rules
Do you care what is thought by others about you
If this day is all that is promised to you
Do you live for the present, the future the past...
tracy chapman


INclan
Senior Member
since 1999-07-20
Posts 1024
Indiana, USA
11 posted 2000-03-25 11:55 AM


Lone Wolf,

Well done!!!  I grew up in Michigan and have hunted near Paradise, MI. I have been to Whitefish point and climbed the lighthouse.  I have not been to the museum...yet.  I was in the U.P. in 1975 when the Gales of Novemeber came early. I guess the Edmund Fitzgerald holds a special place in my heart. Thank you for remembering the FITZ.

INclan

Lone Wolf
Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842
Lansing, MI USA
12 posted 2000-03-25 11:09 PM


Everyone....
Thank you very much for the wonderful comments and tales of your own.  I am happy to have touched you.  The Fitz will always hold a special place in my heart.  Standing before her bell was very humbling.  Kind of puts things in perspective.  I love lighthouses, the sea, shipwrecks, etc. always have.  Luckily, my husband also shares these interests and we have seen some wonderful things together.

INclan...have you been to the ship Valley Forge in Sault Ste Marie?  They have the remnants of the Fitz's lifeboats....yes literally torn apart in sections, one half missing.  There are also the huge buoys used to mark the wreck....they are severly dented.  Awesome sights to behold!!!  We went there before the Whitefish Point.  I just love it there.  

Marge...I will consider it.  That would be an honor indeed.

Corinne...please do find it.  I'd love to read it.


 Friends are friend forever if the Lord's the Lord of them and a friend will not say never cause the welcome will not end.
--Michael W. Smith

Joannak
Member
since 2000-03-11
Posts 121
Indiana, USA
13 posted 2000-03-25 11:46 PM


Lone Wolf,  I am very touched by your poem.  I have visited this very spot many times myself.  The winter visits are especially sad, when you think about the losses that occurred here.  Thank you so much for your posting.

Joanna

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
14 posted 2000-03-26 09:49 AM


I knew nothing of this shipwreck, but I certainly appreciate your story, as I'm a seashore fanatic.... Nice job here..
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
15 posted 2000-03-26 11:05 AM


Truly excellent...reminds me of the song also.  
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