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The Passing Bell
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The Passing Bell |
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Trillium 
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA 
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The Passing Bell Upon the wharf, beside the bay, I saw a man so old and gray, Who sat to watch the ships sail by. I heard him speak.I caught his eye And in it's depths, I seemed to see A glimpse of what life used to be, Before old age had put a halt, To his career, a roving salt. Within his voice, I heard the sea. A wild and strange cacophony Of wind and storm, of thunder clap. Of crashing waves and masts that snap. Of briny spray and icy spars. Of navigating by the stars! He turned away and I did too, But somehow in my soul, I knew, Here was a man who'd been to Hell, Now waiting for the passing bell And when it sounds, a ship will come, Whose sailors raise their tot of rum. All black the ship and black the sails. The ghostly crew stands at the rails. A mute and weather-beaten horde, Who've come to welcome him on board! Betty Lou Hebert [This message has been edited by Trillium (08-26-2003 03:38 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2003 Betty Lou Hebert - All Rights Reserved | |||
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junemac Senior Member
since 2003-04-24
Posts 1005uk |
oh betty how wonderful and real your old sailor man and what a great storyteller you are. i love the rhyme, the story and the ending of this one. ( wish i could write like this ! ) lovely thanks betty hugs from june xxxxxxxxxx |
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
This is nice Betty. A true yarn of an old sailor. Love, Joyce |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
junemac: Your comments are so flattering and I appreciate them. Thanks. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Joyce: Thanks for commenting. A memory of my sailing days years ago! Betty Lou Hebert |
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Paul Wilson
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711United States |
Betty Lou...A touching story. Enjoyed very much. Thanks for sharing...Paul "To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you" |
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cusick Senior Member
since 2003-07-27
Posts 668 |
Such a lovely story of a fisherman. (a glimpse of what life used to be). They have a world of wisdom in their eyes don't they.Thank you for the read. Maggie |
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SharaRose Member Elite
since 2003-07-19
Posts 2501Somewhere out there~ |
I love the sailor. Life lived on the sea. I have written about the sea, the lighthouse, sailing. I love it. If it were true we lived other lives I think I must have sailed the oceans in another life. I loved this write for bringing all the images to mind. Nice to read.  SharaRose @-->-- Of sound, and speech let all lift the hearer! [This message has been edited by SharaRose (08-28-2003 11:14 AM).] |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Paul: Thanks for your comments and I'm glad you liked this poem. Our family used to sail out of Seattle, many years ago and those memories sure stay with me! Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Maggie: Thanks for reading. Sailors see life on sea and land and it definitely makes a difference I think, in how they look at life. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Shara Rose: Thanks. We lived in Seattle for a number of years and had a sailboat that we explored the Sound and San Juan Islands, with. It was a wonderful experience and I have loved the sea ever since. I now live inland and really miss it. Betty Lou Hebert [This message has been edited by Trillium (08-28-2003 05:30 PM).] |
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Suetang Member Ascendant
since 2001-03-07
Posts 5187Melbourne, Australia |
Hello Betty Lou Your words were a feast for the eyes, not to mention the senses. I could almost smell the sea air. Take care......Sue I am in motion |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Sue: Thanks! We used to sail years ago, out of Seattle and once in awhile it all comes back to me! Betty Lou Hebert |
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2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
I enjoyed this. I spent a lot of time at sea and feel the same ship will come for me. Thanks, Melton |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Melton: Thanks for your remarks. I imagine you miss the sea. I do. Hope that ship is a long time coming to shore! Betty Lou Hebert |
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