The Captain of Many Ships

Don't lose hope, keep trying, land is near.

I’ve ridden the seas of broken dreams,

With masts bending in the storms.

 

Over a colourful blanket with ragged seams.

At my side now stand shapeless forms.

 

Shadows and ghouls with clattering jaws and crocked hips

They look at me with hollow eyes and form their lips

Into whispers I don’t want to hear,

Of emotions I don’t want to share

 

Why ó why did you have to sail

When all along you knew you would fail?

 

Their soundless cries blame me for trying,

When I could have spared them all,

all from dying.

 

I really thought that I would reach the coast,

And find the treasure I wanted the most

To be one of the Great

One, with a different fate.

 

The sails now hang loose and still

From the masts with no purpose to fill

I hear them flap in the wind as I sit in my stool

Thinking how childish I’ve been, such a fool.

 

Why sail when no land wants to be found?

Why sing of travels when there is no sound?

 

No Northern Star guides my way

But a distant light that fades by the day.

 

But stubborn as I am I want to believe

That the voyage I started so long ago,

Can be achived.

Find me a ship so that I can set course again,

To the lands of now and then.

Reviews

[Vanesa Markovic]

Another great read.
I don't know what resonated with me more, the feeling of guilt
that is placed upon him by a crew long since lost, or the tragic hanging on to hope, for a happily every after among riches he's surely never to find.

Again, great flow, great story.

[Zee Noir]

Absolutely adore this poem! So well written, love the nautical references.

[Samantha ~virginpoet]

loved this

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

Loved this one

[Cherrie Palmer]

You have told two stories with one poem the images of a ship at sea along with the struggle of human life. I was glad I stopped by for a look

[stellasautelle]

Wonderful poem. Well written :)

[Kerry O'Connor]

This piece hearkens back to a maritime age which once dominated man's psychological and physical world. I love how you have worked the metaphor into your poetic frame and used the refrain to add a melancholy undertone to the poem.

[C. Rose]

Hi David! Sorry it has taken me SO long to get to reviews, my other job has really taken a lot of time as of late.

I really enjoyed this poem. It was such a great illustration of the struggle with our desire versus the struggles universe seems to always put in front of that desire. As usual your descriptive language paints such a good image that I felt the grief, struggle and even that stubborn desire to keep going. Excellent work!