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.

[George Love]

An excellet historical work. Kudos for this! You capture the essence of not just the experience but also the person, something that's usually lost in a work like this. well done!

[Scout]

this poem is very inspiring and beautiful... it is always nice to read a poem that is a tribute to a real person

[R J Askew]

And no helicopters to drag him out of it when it all got too much, not GPS, no mobiles to text home 'Hi, nearing south pole, love you babes, Shack'. And no TV chat show hosts swarming around him afterwards. Just guts. Maybe our famous British stiff upper lip was actually frozen. Great subject and a stirring read.

[black.butterfly]

What a great write. Every word adds to the other one completing eachother to make this piece a one amazing work.

[Belator Books]

I've heard this historical story many times; it never ceases to amaze me just how much the human soul and body can endure, and then shake off the past agonies and stride forward into the sun. Instead of focusing on the horrors with your piece--as many do with this quasi-tragic tale--you managed to let the nobility rise to the top and with quiet dignity held up the results of the entire quest, as they affected and changed those involved. I especially liked these lines:

"Becoming ones most loving friend, as well as the thing they most fear"

And...

"who study you and feel perplexed"

You did not go over the edge with this piece, nor teeter on the precipice of Showmanship, but stopped just at the border of Enough. Nicely done sir. Though it is but an enhancement, the music is quite apropos.

[E.j.aka.Hannah]

Beautiful. The combonation of the music and the writing pattern really brought this work to life.

Very well done.

[Kelley]

This was a great poem Tat ! I like your writing style and
it just proves that if we can think it it can be done .

Thanks for sharing.

Kelley

[C. Porter]

The violin was a nice touch! Great poem, kudos! I love it.

[lindsay]

Well I don't know what else I could say that everyone hasn't already. This such a well crafted piece. A great tribute

[Honey]

I think this is the second poem of yours that I've read that is written about someone historical. I love this because (a) I get to learn! and (b) I think it's a great challenge for you to give yourself as a writer.

That being said I liked this poem a lot. Flow is good, wording is excellent, and the last stanza was perfect for leaving me with the right mood from the poem. I admire your vocabulary....very well done!