Shackleton

Article London Times : Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.

Sir Ernest Shackleton
Speaking for myself I have to say this man was the greatest adventurer of all time. He led an expedition to cross the Antarctic in 1914. Plagued by hardship was frozen in. Managed by shear will and dogged cussedness to bring all his men out alive some 20 months later. His expedition came as close as any ever did to seeing the naked soul of mankind.

True success known by oh so few

who have held its taste so dear

Becoming one's most loving friend

as well as the thing they most fear

 

Is success so overwhelming

or reflection's failure you dread

Have a mind to be tested here

before on your fears you are fed

 

It's not he thinking better not

who will be served life’s greatest dish

Only a man who risks his pride

can dream of dining on his wish

 

Whichever man you choose to be

in this lifetime as in the next

Will lay foundation for the others

who study you and feel perplexed

 

The man who sees his limits dashed

rendered from toil of sweat and tears

Is he who has lived more in life

than most will know in all their years

 

Author's Note

A man among men he was the greatest adventurer of all time. Managing with 5 of his men a final 800 mile sail in a open dingy over the roaring forties in the Southern Ocean. Using dead reckoning and only two sightings in over two weeks sail. Fought starvation and frostbite through the fifty foot waves and storms. To land successfully on a tiny sliver of an Island called South Georgia. Then went back and save all his men. His sail and subsequent crossing of the interior of South Georgia island on foot,was miraculous. So much so the disbelieving whalers there rescued the tiny boat from the far side of the island. Carrying it on their shoulders, as if it were the Ark of the Covenant.
Returning to England he has always been a light to men. Those who seek adventure and purpose from the daring and dignity of their lives. His efforts to not only save oneself. But to pick up and carry his comrades home to safety as well. Stories told of him from the survivors of the Scott expedition say his character was kind and conciliatory to men of all walks. One man remarked" We were starving. None had eaten anything in 5 days. Shackleton forced his last biscuit upon me. Even though he too was starving. A man can't imagine the magninamity of such a act, who's never experianced it. But I shall never forget it!" He was to this man at least one of the greatest men who ever drew breath.

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

I love stories like this and was most moved by it. Despite mankind's many faults and short-comings, this tale of strength, dedication and honor begs one to argue our worthiness. If, one day, God says "Show me why I should let mankind go on," I should like for him to be told about Sir Ernest Shackleton.

[MNeilsen]

Wonderful tribute that inspires each and everyone to risk our pride for the prize. As always you leave me stunned.

[LadyNaida]

Wow, very good. I am not familiar with the history. Nevertheless, I liked it.

[Zeitgeist Manifesto]

This was a wonderful tribute to one of the last great pioneers.
It's surprising what the human spirit can endure. It certainly is
an inspiration. Hopefully, someday all humanity will tap into it's
spirit and intelligence to discover something other than weapons.
We should all strive to be better. The poem was great, but the
presentation made it even better.

[Nautili]

Interesting and informative. The flow was a bit different than your usual, but I liked it. Shackelton's tenacity and pioneering spirit was remarkable.

[cartera]

Well done. No tribute enough for this man, and your poem does it very well.
Have you read the book Endurance? It is the best book that I have ever read, and I've read a few.
Seek it out if you haven't.
ATB
Alex.

[Thomas B. Buckman]

This is a great poem.
This man is definitely something to write a tribute to.

[RHEA CROSLEY]

Wow great adventure. I would like to know more. Inspiring write, thank you. I am just about to fly tomorrow early am to an orphanage in Dominican Republic. This is an encouragement becuase I know God and He is with me and will fly with me wherever I go and forever. This piece helps me to think of how God is with me and how faithful He is especailly when there is a noble cause.

[Charles]

Hadn't heard of Shackleton, but your poem is certainly a testimny to greatness. Good thoughts tied together nicely in tribute. As usual you rhyming is pre-eminent and runs afoul of my aversion to reversing sentence structure to force a rhyme only once or twice. The dish-wish andtears-years lines are very nice. Good writing.

[Salvatore Buttaci]

First of all, it's a good poem, especially without punctuation. Below is your poem, alongside of which I've made corrections.

Sal


True success known by oh so few

who have held it's taste so dear change "it's" to "its"

Becoming ones most loving friend change "ones" to "one's"

as well as the thing they most fear change "thing" to "man"



Whichever man you choose to be

In this life’s time as in the next change "life's time" to "lifetime"

Will lay foundation for the others

who study you and feel perplexed



Is success so overwhelming

Or reflections failure you dread change to "reflection's"

Have a mind to be tested here

before on your fears you are fed this line's a little clumsy.
maybe: reject the fears you are fed


It's not he thinking better not

who will be served life’s greatest dish

Only a man who risks his pride

can dream of dining on his wish



The man who sees his limits dashed

rendered from toil of sweat and tears

Is he who has lived more in life

than others know in all their years



Tate

[Poeticpiers]

A truly admirable man Tate. Although I doubt he saw himself as a hero just doing his job
You are becoming more proficient in your use of meter and rhyme
I applaud loudly this offering