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.

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..

[Sandero]

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

[Sandero]

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

[Sandero]

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.

[NFTB]

Thanks for adding poetry to our sailing menu. If you are up to it, can you put pen to paper (or hand to keyboard) and create a piece of original nautical poetry? We publish a non-commercial monthly boating newsletter that often includes original nautical poetry. We are always looking for new talent. Check NFTB out at News From The Bow Home Page and search for original nautical poetry. Hoping you are interested,
Stu Hochron, Editor
News From The Bow

[Starbuck]

Okay, Cannibul, I think I can remember Robert Service's Rhyme Scheme…


When on the beach, and out of reach, of the North Star's beck and call,
My soul seems bust with wanderlust, and I want to chuck it all,
It's to my boat, that stays afloat through storm and roaring gale
That I return: from stem to stern, and keel to shining rail…

She's a grand old tub, and like a London pub, she always cheers m'soul
With her great spruce mast that's made to last through every pitch and roll.
When I slip my lines, and follow the signs in the sky that make my chart
I whistle a tune that, long or soon, makes good to cheer my heart.


Okay, so it ain't "The Cremation of Sam MaGee," but that's the feel of it.
Bit of fun, that.

[Pelagic]

This short depressing one I wrote many years ago, while working for the wealthy on their super-yachts.

Loved the work but hated what it did to my serious relationship at home or the prospect of ever finding one in the future.

Eventually I turned it into a song, hence the chorus


I shoot stars with a silver spoon…
I go crazy on a full moon…
But baby, I got no tracks… no monkey on my back
Just You!

Seas are getting stormy….
Me, I’m getting horny…
But the only tail I need babe
Is not from a winch, but a wench

This is sailing my friend…
Aint it the living end.

[hummingway]

Kinda brings a tear to the eye Pelagic. *sniff*

[MichaelC]

DREAMSONG

There's a schooner
in the offing,
gliding in light air.
There's a schooner
in the offing,
booms out -
her wind is fair.
She's moving well
for the wind she has,
she caught the tide just right.
There's a schooner
in the offing.
And
I'll not
sleep tonight.

am colfer '95