Poetry

[Sunspot Baby]

It's from one of John Masefileds works, but I can't lay my hands on it.

George

[Canibul]

this, perhaps?

"Sea-Fever"

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

By John Masefield (1878-1967).
(English Poet Laureate, 1930-1967.)

[Alan Wheeler]

That's it. Great words.

[Kai Nui]

Some things never go out of style. As true today as it was in the early 1900's

[Canibul]

The boy stood on the burning deck,
his back against the mast.
He swore he would not leave the deck,
Til Oscar Wilde had passed.

But Oscar was a wily sort,
and tossed the boy a bun.
And when he bent to pick it up
the dirty deed was done..

[defjef]

A poem I wrote 12 years ago whilst cruising:

How simple, yet complex

The sailboat is

Each part essential

Time tested solutions

To the problems

Of how to go

From here to there

With wings of cloth

Flying through the air

Yet swimming too

With fins of metal

Across vast oceans blue

Touching and caressing

Each land

On our planet Earth

Afloat in a vast

Heavenly sea of stars

Men of all times

Looked to the heavens

to find their way

Knowing the signs

Placed skyward

To guide them

Over infinite waves

Disappearing into the horizon

Where all dreams lay

Now electrons too small

For senses to know

Carry the messages

From man made stars

Too insignificant to shine

A matrix of ideas

Dividing the earth

Into precise little squares

As addresses

In a metropolis

For all to know

With the need to go

From here to there

Jef
sv Shiva
Contest 36s

[defjef]

Another of my sailing poems:

Flags of many nations
Stood proud marking
The presence of a fresh breeze
Beckoning sailors
To weigh their anchors
Hoist their sails
Sail from safety
In search of their dreams
Each so different
Yet always the same

Jef
sv Shiva
Contest 36s

[defjef]

And another:

Islands

I’m searching for an island

It just right for me

A place so special

It’s just got to be

Warm waters lapping

Calm peaceful shores

Quaint little villages

And so very much more

The island has mountain peaks

With clouds about the top

It rains each day an hour

But then must simply stop

The rains fill the ponds,

Rivers and the lakes

You only see sailboats

N’er a power boat wake

This island has meadows

Grasses of delicious green

Flowers abound in multitudes

On the hills and by the streams

Palm lined sandy beaches

and rocky cliffs too

Everything imaginable

All surrounded by endless blue

I’ll set down my anchor

Watch the sun arise

Each day will be different

Hold some new surprise

Locals folk have so much charm

A society that seems fair

A dollars still a dollar

But no one seems to care

I’ll befriend all the sailors

Who come and drop their hook

The good ones with flare

Have also come to look

I’ll forget the winter season

The cold and freezing rains

And not miss the deserts

nor even the great plains

The great cities will be

like far away dreams

Of noise and traffic

In neverending streams

Each island that I’ve sailed to

Meets just part of my need

Searching and exploring

Not missing a good lead

When to weigh anchor?

And when to make way?

I stuggle with this question

Each and every day

The next island beckons

And summons me “sail on”

With promises of new delights

To build a life upon

Not always have I lived

This searching life at sea

Yet there is something about sailing

That’s forever part of me

9/26/94

Jef
sv Shiva
Contest 36s

[delmarrey]

I've been at sea for a while, so I'm sending out an SOS.

Was Shanghai'ed aboard a shakey ketch with a fresh coat of paint.

Thought I was go'n for a cruise and willing to do my share to keep the sails full and on course.

We hit some rough seas & she started loosen fastener's and part'n sheets. Then squeak'n & groan'n she required more rigging and pumps to keep'r afloat.

The storm got worse, she broached, split up and went down fast. Hardly had time to escape the whirlpool.

So, here I am, cast a drift hoping another shark doesn't come along and mistake me for chum..................................._/)

[Canibul]

I learned when I first went to sea,
You always must spit to the lee.
And later I found,
As we sailed down the sound,
It also applies when you pee.