Caution, ladies. Not erotic, but treats of naval life.....

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RMW
Senior Member

since 2001-03-21

Posts 1424

0 posted 2001-05-04 10:35 AM

....a subject dear to my heart....and so you may want to pass on this somewhat stark description.

Point Venus

To see him thus; cold, squat,
Not too unlike
The colliers from whose design and shape
His ship the Admiralty had selected,
Serves well enough the history books.
Or if you'd rather,
Perhaps his father had been a smith
To will his mother birth an anvil;
Heavy, horned, and black of mood,
For whenever squalls came hammering,
Sparks flew.
And yet
There were the slender palms that grew
Quite near the shore.
Their fronds may well have beckoned more
Than ordinary sailors' lust.
He could, perhaps, have more than once
Peered through the glass
Or even gone on deck
To listen as the sand quashed
Rebellion incipient in the fall and crush
Of coconuts. Such nights knew piece.
But let the drums beat.
Let hard notes pound him as a bung,
Driving him below
With temples sounding to the gong
Of Christian feasting;
'Twas then no will, no force on earth
Could stop his mind,
His thought a surf relentless
For a closer look.
Thus Bligh broke,
Consorting with himself.

RMW

Mother_Earth
Senior Member

since 2000-11-20

Posts 1370
1/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan

1 posted 2001-05-04 11:26 AM

I am not really sure what all you are trying to show me, but I have "seen" many different pictures. Some I could talk about and others are for my eyes only. I enjoyed this work and like the pictures. Thanks, ME

RMW
Senior Member

since 2001-03-21

Posts 1424

2 posted 2001-05-04 11:39 AM

ME...thanks for taking a moment to comment. I am wondering if you know the trilogy..."Mutiny on the Bounty", "Men Against the Sea", and "Pitcairn Island"? It is not only high adventure, but wonderful romance...and pretty close to historical fact. Point Venus is a narrow spit of land that forms Matavai Bay...in Tahiti. The bay is abslutely beautiful. It is very deep, and so sailing vessels, like the "BOUNTY", could anchor quite close in. I hope that this poem is about the story of the "BOUNTY"; about isolation; and the passion that we equate with the south seas. Sorry to go on at length. Do read the trilogy, if you have not already. Or rent a video of the latest version...."BOUNTY"...staring Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins. Enjoy! Bob

Mother_Earth
Senior Member

since 2000-11-20

Posts 1370
1/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan

3 posted 2001-05-04 11:54 AM

Thanks, Bob. I really thought that is what you meant, but I have a way of getting thing wrong, so tried it my way. I like to read the books more than the movies. I "see" less blood that way. Good poem. ME

Corinne
Member Ascendant

since 1999-10-28

Posts 5167
state of confusion

4 posted 2001-05-04 01:54 PM

A wonderful rendering of the 'ol Captain -
fully dimensional - great poem, Bob!

You gave him the benefit of the potential for human qualities!

Cor

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

5 posted 2001-05-04 03:25 PM

quote:
Perhaps his father had been a smith
To will his mother birth an anvil;
Heavy, horned, and black of mood,
For whenever squalls came hammering,
Sparks flew.

This is so "old world" in flavor of description that it leaves the imagination reeling....

what a write!

Jamie
Member Elite

since 2000-06-26

Posts 3168
Blue Heaven

6 posted 2001-05-04 05:12 PM

I really enjoyed this--- like you I love tales of the sea ( in fact most things nautical..lol)

There is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar.
byron

RMW
Senior Member

since 2001-03-21

Posts 1424

7 posted 2001-05-04 05:44 PM

ME...you are most welcome. And, thank YOU.

Cor....There is nothing quite so god-like on earth as the captain of a vessel. And nothing so isolating as command.....unless it is being a poet. Smiling.

Sunshine...Again, thank you for your kind comments. I'm kinda partial to the 18th century.

Jamie...I see that you are a Firefighter. My hat comes off to you. Thank you for the comments.

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

8 posted 2001-05-04 05:54 PM

Interesting...James

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

9 posted 2001-05-04 09:47 PM

Bob--So unique...the words the description...fascinating!

Paula Finn
Member Ascendant

since 2000-06-17

Posts 5546
missouri

10 posted 2001-05-04 10:09 PM

Bob...splendid as always...I love the places your poetry takes me to

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