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Open Poetry #12
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Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2001-01-16 09:24 PM



The Omen

From pulpit’s ship he preached in scrimshaw days
And belted out a prayer of hope and praise
The seamen clung to every fervid phrase
Then left New Bedford’s dock in morning haze

It was the eve of his first bounty search
A young lad prayed in Seaman’s Bethel Church
And as he left he saw a raven perch
An omen staring from a limb of birch

But nothing now could stop this seabound youth
Son of a whaler, seeking trophy tooth
His father always told him that the truth
Would be discovered in the prime of youth

He knew that schooner, “Anna”, stem to stern
The Captain said, “Your dues you gotta earn
The first time out you’ve got a lot to learn
And fightin’ with this crew ain’t my concern”

They were a mixed lot, anyone could tell
Some from Cape Verde, some right out of hell
But each one did his job and did it well
And Billy Boy, he held them in his spell

An image of his father, they all said
A favorite whaling captain now was dead
But they could see the lad was schooner bred
And in his eyes his father’s wisdom read

Young Billy Boy had whaling in his vein
And would add honor to his father’s name
And so he set out on a search for fame
But never would his spirit be the same

Four days a’sail and nothing came in sight
Then in the middle of the darkest night
The Captain had a sense of dooming fright
There’s something in the air that didn’t seem right

No sooner said , the sea began to churn
“We’ve not a single moment left to burn”
The waves were wildly crashing on the stern
And Billy’s heart was full of seaman’s yearn

“Put this ship in irons, seamen, douse her sails!
Head straight into the eye of wind and hail!”
The schooner pitched for hours in the gale
The crew controlling helm and tethered sail

But some were thrown into the ocean’s cold
By force of waves above the bulkward’s hold
The ship was yawing, all those strong and bold
Couldn’t turn about the whaling ship of gold

“Secure the boom, young lad!”, the captain cried
But Billy Boy was stunned with what he spied
A huge blue whale abrest the starboard side
Was staring at young Billy eye to eye

“A whale!, A whale!”, cried son of schooner’s fame
The captain shouted, “Make yourself a name!
Harpoon him, lad!, Harpoon him from the main
Just this one, we’ll head back home again!”

“No!No!, my Captain, look how he behaves
Keeping us from rolling with the waves
He is a friend, I say, let him be saved
Or Anna, here, will send us to our graves”

“This whale, my boy, will be our certain doom
It’s either us or he to be consumed
Now hold on boy and pitch that old harpoon
And you will sup next week with silver spoon”

Billy took the spear and held it high
And looked into the depths of mammal’s eye
But could not bear the anguished  hurt inside
And dropped the harpoon by the Captain’s side

“’Tis I ,young man, who’ll teach you how to throw!
Your father’s glory you will never know”
And as he raised his arms to deal the blow
The whale dove to the calmer depths below

And as it did the schooner overturned
The few on board fell in the icy churn
The harpoon followed swiftly from the stern
And Captain had a whaler’s table turned

Until this day they tell the fateful tale
Of Anna’s disappearance in the gale
And Billy who was pushed atop a bale
And pulled to safety by a monster whale

In Seaman’s Bethel Church now William prays
Remembering the raven's piercing gaze
An omen from his father to persuade
His son from following the whaler’s ways

All was written in a blue whale’s eye
Instead of seeing lamp oil to be burned
Billy saw the creature dignify
The truth his father wanted him to learn

Elizabeth Santos



[This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 01-17-2001).]

© Copyright 2001 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved
SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
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since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
1 posted 2001-01-16 09:36 PM


You held me from begining to end.....I was captivated! I love this........into my library you go!!   -SEA
Marge Tindal
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since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
2 posted 2001-01-16 09:38 PM


Elizabeth~
Oh, my !
This is an adventureous tale, so well done.
What a talented poet you are.

Someday, dear poetess ...
I would see you in bound-of-leather pages
and would pay gladly for the privilege.

Stunning, my friend.
~*Marge*~



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


LoveBug
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Member Elite
since 2000-01-08
Posts 4697

3 posted 2001-01-16 11:11 PM


"Billy saw the creature dignify
The truth his father wanted him to learn"

Wow... this is a beautiful story you've woven here, my friend. It's amazing where we can find that truth, isn't it? Thanks for sharing.

"Where there is great love there are always miracles" -Cather
"Love heals everything, and love is all there is"- Zukav



Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
4 posted 2001-01-16 11:20 PM


What a lovely tale...eciting and bold
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

5 posted 2001-01-17 01:04 AM


may I ditto Margies OH MY ...
the imagery... the wisdom in the weave
and the WAY COOL repetative rhyme of verse DONE for SO MANY verses ...
which made for melody of cadenece
oh yes--OH MY  
Outstanding Lizzie-girl!!
take a bow poet of grace.


When to the sessions of sweet silent thought,
I summon up remembrance of things past ...
I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought.
~Shakespeare~

CocoBaci
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 3043

6 posted 2001-01-17 02:05 AM


Tis a keeper for me PoetFriend Elizabeth...
A treasure of a read if I may say so...
Thank you
*~coco~*

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
7 posted 2001-01-17 06:36 AM


SEA, Glad you enjoyed the tale. I wrote it in response to Prometheus's "The Last Fairy Tale".

Marge, Thank you, dear, your comments are precious to me

Love Bug, Truth can be found in the oddest places. Thanks

Paula, Thank you, sweet poet

JM, Thank you, my friend. The rhyming is the easy part for me. Creativity is my downfall. But I'm glad you liked this poem

Coco, I'm so glad you enjoyed reading this. I spent 6 weeks in New Bedford in my youth as part of Peace Corps training with a Cape Verdean family -(Portuguese only!)
Thank you

Liz

Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia
8 posted 2001-01-17 06:43 AM


Elizabeth,
a weave of wonder, with a happy ever after
Write on
Kethry


Those of us who refuse to risk and grow get swallowed up by life. Patty Hansen.



Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
9 posted 2001-01-17 07:04 AM


You're getting a standing ovation from me here Liz!
Can ya see me standing and clapping from there?        

What a wonderful tale!
You've woven it beautifully with the language of the scenes,
fluid conversation and narrative ...
ahhhhh yes ...
and a brilliant message!
Did I say I loved this?!?  

Best wishes me twin,
/Kit

[This message has been edited by Kit McCallum (edited 01-17-2001).]

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
10 posted 2001-01-17 07:15 AM


Elizabeth - This is astounding.. You've captured the spirit of my locale beautifully....(as you always do)... Would you kindly give me permission to post it in my Port O' Poetry for our Cape Cod visitors to enjoy??.... Please???..  





[This message has been edited by Nan (edited 01-17-2001).]

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
11 posted 2001-01-17 07:16 AM


Kethry, THank you, I'm thrilled that you like the whale's tale

Kit, Thank you, sister in poetry. You make my day. I'm so glad you liked this

LIz

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
12 posted 2001-01-17 07:18 AM


Thank you Nan, I would be honored.
I'm so glad you felt it captured a little of New Bedford's past.
Liz

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
13 posted 2001-01-17 09:33 AM


Elizabeth,
An exceptional write one for the books. I agree with all the phrase above. Love Sy

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
14 posted 2001-01-17 09:37 AM


Fascinating...library....places of honor....
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
15 posted 2001-01-17 09:58 AM


Sy and Sunshine,
How sweetly you honor me
Liz

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
16 posted 2001-01-17 10:05 AM


Fantastic.................I am printing this one and keeping it close by.  So if I purchase your book of poetry when it comes out could I talk you into a signed copy?  You are truely blessed with a gift of vision and you use your gift so wonderfully and so naturally.  
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
17 posted 2001-01-17 10:15 AM


Mark, I am honored just in knowing you liked the poem. Thank you do much for all your generous comments.You are so kind, dear fellow
Liz

peppermint35
Senior Member
since 2000-05-28
Posts 1106
Texas, USA
18 posted 2001-01-17 02:55 PM


What a wonderful write!!! You made it come alive for me   A true keeper!!!

Pepper
"A poem is the very image of life expressed in its eternal truth."
Percy Bysshe Shelley

Jamie
Member Elite
since 2000-06-26
Posts 3168
Blue Heaven
19 posted 2001-01-17 04:53 PM


It is both uplifting and humbling to know that some little thing I penned could lead to such a wonderful tale.


Jamie

Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito. - Virgil.
"Yield thou not to adversity, but press on the more bravely".


Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
20 posted 2001-01-17 05:13 PM


Peppermint, Glad you could be involved with the story. Thank you

Jamie, One inspires the other, and I thought your poem "The Last Fairy Tale" was so true' At least it touched me. Glad you liked this one
Thanks
Liz

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
21 posted 2001-01-18 03:49 PM


What an awesome tale you've told so well! The only part of the read I didn't enjoy was reaching the end... so I just read it again and again. *S*
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
22 posted 2001-01-18 04:07 PM


Thank you Ruth for finding this poem, It must have been way in the back somewhere. So glad you enjoyed the story. Thank you for such a kind remark
Liz

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

23 posted 2001-01-18 09:22 PM


Fabulous tale, Elizabeth! I thoroughly enjoyed this from beginning to end!

Denise

Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
24 posted 2001-01-18 09:52 PM


Liz--To think I almost missed this most wonderful tale...you are amazing..but I think I've said that before...tis true!!
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
25 posted 2001-01-18 10:15 PM


Thanks, Denise and Martie. I'm glad you liked it. Martie, I'm going to Cal in a month or two. Please let's not miss each other again!
Love you both
LIz

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
26 posted 2001-01-18 10:15 PM


Thanks, Denise and Martie. I'm glad you liked it. Martie, I'm going to Cal in a month or two. Please let's not miss each other again!
Love you both
LIz

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