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Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2003-02-18 08:50 AM



     
The Jolly Inns of Cape Cod

Along the length of Cape Cod’s coast
The lodgings for a hundred ghosts
Once jolly inns and seaman’s lair
Now taverns fouled with tainted air

T’was in these havens it is told
That fear was in a goblet’s hold
Topped off with foam like ocean’s brine
To pacify a trembling spine

Each seaman brave beyond refute
Each weathered captain’s mind astute
And laughter laced a shoulder’s rub
While tragic tales spun through the pub

Horrific nights upon the sea
Now mellowed yore of reverie
If from the tongue of Captain Jones
Would raise your hair and bend your bones

Unsettled ghosts dwell in this place
And every phantom can be traced
To stones with martyr’s names in script
And others on a pauper’s crypt

If truth could somehow be revealed
Their tombs would be forever sealed
They never more would leave a tomb
To haunt the rafters of a room

And so they stay upon the scene
Where truth is but a phantom’s dream
In captains’ log books under glass
Awaiting to unleash the past

If you should stop on Cape Cod’s shore
And wander through a tavern’s door
Beware the ghost of Captain Jones!
He’ll raise your hair and bend your bones!

Elizabeth Santos
2/18/03


[This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (02-18-2003 08:51 PM).]

© Copyright 2003 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
1 posted 2003-02-18 08:55 AM


Ah Elizabeth...what a wonderful tale you told us this morning.
Vivid imagery brought it to life for us.
Wonderful..wonderful.
~Hugs & Smiles, Nancy~

~ Trace my body with your words..
And in doing so, you touch my heart. ~

Tim
Senior Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 1794

2 posted 2003-02-18 08:59 AM


My youngest daughter is getting married in May and the newlyweds are going to honeymoon in a cottage on Cape Cod. I sent her a copy of your poem to get them in the proper frame of mind.  Enjoyed much as another wonderful poem you have graced us with Lady Santos.
VAS
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450
Oregon
3 posted 2003-02-18 09:08 AM


oooh, you have captured the flavor, the eeriness, of your subject with excellence!

This gives a different call to explore more of Cape Cod. I loved the trip my daughter and I had on Cape Cod and surrounding area, but did not get this kind of exploring afforded us. Thoroughly enjoyed this read!

Whether on the shoal or on the shore,
I'll seek the lighthouse evermore.

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
4 posted 2003-02-18 09:09 AM


What a wonderful way to begin my day... This is absolutely superb, Liz.. and just for you - This IS a REAL "haunted" inn here on Cape Cod... (shoveling now)... Loveya..
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
5 posted 2003-02-18 09:11 AM


Oh - and TIM... It would be my great pleasure to meet your daughter and your new son-in-law.. What think you??...
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
6 posted 2003-02-18 09:17 AM


Elizabeth,
Excellent, I could read you forever. Sy

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
7 posted 2003-02-18 09:24 AM



I do believe I hear a peg leg on the wood floors, coming this way...wonderful cadence, delightful telling...and why wasn't this submitted?  

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
8 posted 2003-02-18 09:26 AM


Enchantress. I'm so glad you enjoyed this story. Thank you!

Tim
A most appropriate gift to mark
A joyful honeymoon embark
Assure them they are not alone
But in the hands of Captain JOnes!
Thanks Tim, your comments are much appreciated

VAs, I also love Cape Cod, and I didn't see one ghost the whole time, even though they could see me. I intend to return some day soon
Thank you

Nan, OH! HOW WONDERFUL! I just made this up but had a feeling it was true! THank you, thank you for the haunted inn. IT looks too lovely to be haunted.
You came up with this so fast, the miracle image maker
Thanks, my friend
Liz

SmartChick
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown
9 posted 2003-02-18 10:12 AM


Wow! This is a fantastic poem.
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
10 posted 2003-02-18 10:17 AM


There's actually a place called the "Jolly Captain"... but I don't think it's haunted.. This one is...
NewEnglandlazurlu
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470
A Mountain Paradise
11 posted 2003-02-18 10:27 AM


Liz this is outstanding and you have certainly captured the flavor of our 'Old Cape Cod.'

And when Nan says she's shoveling, it's unbelievable how much snow we got yesterday and last night. We need to rattle the bones of Mother Nature and get her in a 'spring' mood.

Hugs dear lady, Marti

'I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.'

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

12 posted 2003-02-18 08:44 PM


Wonderful tale, Elizabeth! You have quite the imagination! Very captivating read!

Nan, when I come to Cape Cod, let's not visit this particular one. Let's just tour the non-haunted ones, okay?!

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
13 posted 2003-02-18 08:53 PM




(smiles) Oh my gosh, I've never been there but when I do I'll be sure to bring my accordion along so I can sing some fairweather melodies! (big hugggsssssss) Yay, I just love the stories that come out of special places, yay, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Elizabeth, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

Mysteria
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
14 posted 2003-02-18 11:05 PM


Very cool story sweet Lizzie!  Did we go there LOL? I forget if we did, and that place looks really neat.

          
~* Carpe' Diem *~  

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
15 posted 2003-02-20 04:42 AM


whew! what a write!
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
16 posted 2003-02-20 07:10 AM


Marti, thannks, I wonder if Nan's still shoveling. Here the roads are clear, but when you get to a corner you cant see either way. Glad you lioked the poem

Denise. Thank you, my friend, See you Saturday!

Noah, Thanks, We need some fair weather!

Sharon, No we didn't see this. We were shopping, remember? You saw one here, THae Inn at St Peters.

Passing shadows, Did this scare you? Just stay away from the Captain, you'll be alright!

Hugs,
liz

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
17 posted 2003-02-20 12:03 PM


I love this, Liz!! *S* What a wonderful write... shivers me timbers! LOL
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