A FRIGHTFUL JOURNEY

Storm's up

A FRIGHTFUL JOURNEY

 

Dismal blue gray seas roll and pound

white caps smack waves

clouds undulate to match the rhythm

 

My soldier’s ship

pulses with dark angry ocean

dense black clouds close in to obscure the horizon

“Restricted vision”, says the captain

“All hands-on deck with telescopes or field glasses”

 

The ship’s bow plunges beneath the billows

further surges upwardly for moments

majority of men puke over the side

at one time or another in an opportune cycle

enraged storm clouds pursue the vessel, outpace it

with a slaughter

rain pellets souse the soldiers on board

 

Before long the ship accedes to the wrathful swells

which sweep over the bow and upset those who slide on platforms

suddenly, and without admonition, the ship capsizes

everyone scrambles for their lives

many do not know how to swim

Not a rescue boat detectable

 

I awaken with a scream and sweat on my silken sheets

I envisage my love's face down at sea’s bottom

clutch my face to bring myself to certitude

acknowledge my true distress

when my darling is on leave

and genuine desolation without a mask

I shall cry authentic tears when the mood prods me

moreover, I lay there with heavy breath

after a macabre eve

 

I shall rise and prepare a cup of tea, steam the milk

step out on the porch to listen to songbirds to comfort me

and deem that my love is unhurt and well aboard the transport

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 [EH1]

Reviews

[Lisasview]

Oh gosh dear Betty... how I love this emotional poem that pulls at my heart strings.
Being separated from someone you love is so difficult.
I wrote a poem (you may have already read it) and posted it a year ago, soon after I started posting poems for the first time in my life.
It is about being apart.
MILES APART
If you have not read it you might enjoy it.
Thank you for sharing your poem...
Lisa

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Lisa for a stunning review, I'll look for your poem.
Best, B

[Lisasview]

Hi Betty,
You are most welcome!!
Lisa

[Ken Simm.]

What a write . Containing so many atmospheric and well written things about what is a very emotive subject.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Ken for your thoughtful review!
Best, B

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Betty… my Son Robert and his Wife Leilani have two girls age ten and twelve. They live in Norfolk, Virginia Navy Base. Leilani joined the Navy for five years… she may stay long enough to be an Officer. My Son was a few years too old to join the Navy… so he works as a Citizen on the Base. They have bought a House through the Navy on Base. Leilani has been deployed for awhile and soon will be Home for eight months. It does give their family Secuity during these perilous times for our Country. Your Poem reminds me of the feelings my Son may have while his Wife is at Sea. The grandmother lives in their home, so she helps with the Girls and Cooking. Bless you. Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for telling your story about your kids being apart for long periods of time...it's tough... and thank you for your review PatBest, B

[Pete]

whew. not a pleasant thing when about to go down with a ship. uncomfrtably descriptive. puts the reader right there - ouch. great curve ball you deliver. unexpectedly peaceful ending. whew again for changing course. well told ... :)

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks Pete.. glad it was peaceful at the end!
Best, B

[Miss Sharon]

Wowser! Such imagery in this one Betty. Made my heart beat faster for a bit. ~Sharon

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear friend, hope I didn't scare you too much, only a dream!
Best, B

[John the Baptist]

A chilling recreation of a scene that has been enacted on troopships for generations. The particular war is not specified, but the accompanying illustration shows a sailing ship, so it could be any conflict prior to the 20th century. Despite the vivid description of the wreck, we find that it was just part of a dream of one who has a military loved one. It is a common experience of women who had to share their men with war.

[Betty Hermelee]

Great review John really appreciated!
Best, B

[William Michael Reeves]

Good thing you lift the reader up in your last verse. I was about to drown in fear and trepidation at where the poem was going. The read had me gripping my phone tightly in anticipation. Personally, I can't imagine a worse way to die than drowning. Thanks a lot for writing me there ... and saving me!

[Betty Hermelee]

Pretty gruesome until the end!!! This actually goes with two other earlier poems....about love and war....Great review!
Best, B

[Stuart Munro]

Betty , I’ve been on a ferry a cruise ship , a fishing boat , but only in calm waters
Your poem , is scary , there’s a painting of a ship on my wall , it’s making me seasick , I’m selling it
I’m a Land lubber ,

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for your comment! This was a nightmare, thankfully….best, B

[Stuart Munro]

I like your poem Betty , Sorry , I forgot to say

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome!
Best, B

[Soren]

Nightmares are as terrifying as the reality that they portray. Locked beneath the surface of our waking state lies this land of dreams that we spend almost as much time in as wakefulness. So much theorizing as to the meaning of dreams and what they represent. A storm at sea can be a terrorizing experience.

[Betty Hermelee]

Very true indeed, luckily it was just a dream!
Thank you for your kind review!
Best, B

[andrew mitchell]

The fury of the ocean is a scary scenario for any one on a ship, I had visions of the Titanic on reading. Lucky it was all a bad dream Betty. Impeccable writing Betty. Great read.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Andrew,for a kind and thoughtful review.
Best, B