Open Poetry #6 |
Shipwreck |
Lone Wolf Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842Lansing, MI USA |
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 |
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© Copyright 2000 Jennifer L. Garcia - All Rights Reserved | |||
Lost Dreamer Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464Somewhere near the Rainbow |
Excellent job! I was taken away into this poem, You made it feel like it was happening right before me. |
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VampDude Junior Member
since 2000-03-24
Posts 21Canada |
This poem is truly amazing, I loved every minute of it. Great job Wolf, I look forward seeing more of your work! |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Excellent story told well!! |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
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 |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
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 |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
What a wonderful tale you've told |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
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.*~ [email protected] |
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Tess Member
since 2000-03-22
Posts 288Australia |
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 |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Excellent poem, Lone Wolf! Very well written! Denise |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
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 |
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INclan Senior Member
since 1999-07-20
Posts 1024Indiana, USA |
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 |
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Lone Wolf Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842Lansing, MI USA |
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 |
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Joannak Member
since 2000-03-11
Posts 121Indiana, USA |
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 |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
I knew nothing of this shipwreck, but I certainly appreciate your story, as I'm a seashore fanatic.... Nice job here.. |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Truly excellent...reminds me of the song also. |
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