Seafaring Phantom


from the ABC set Poems

Soft breezes blow,
the only sound...
the crashing of the waves,
the swell of the sea
breaking on the shore,

a flat bottomed boat
lies in shallow water,
left alone neglected,
barren...
decomposing wood,

one man waits
a fisherman maybe,
staring out to sea
ever waiting...
a land lover he is not,

a ghostly figure he becomes
ceasing to exist,
disembodied...
his soul yearning
for what will never be.

Discuss this piece in the abctales forum


Comments

MistakenMagic | May 2, 2011 - 10:53

Wow - a haunting piece, Jenny! I can see the fisherman now. Well done!

Magic xxx

skinner_jennifer | May 2, 2011 - 11:06

Hi Magic,

thankyou so much for your fine comment, it's truely
appreciated.

Jenny. xxx

seashore | May 2, 2011 - 11:37

One of your best, Jenny. I loved it.

skinner_jennifer | May 2, 2011 - 11:57

Wow!

thankyou seashore, that is wonderful, you've made
my day.

Jenny.

Prettyrose | May 2, 2011 - 14:43

Great Poem like always Jenny :):))) It wasn't so much scary for me sorry if that was the intent like magic said :) but made me pine for the sea as I love it so much, so a nice warm feeling covered with annoyed I am not by the sea feeling lol.

But yes thinking on it Magic late at night staying in a cabin or beach house by the sea reading this, I am sure we would feel a chill Jenny lol either way your a gifted writer with a lovely personality to match :)))

SundaysChild | May 2, 2011 - 16:12

Very much enjoyed Jenny

skinner_jennifer | May 2, 2011 - 16:45

Hi Prettyrose,

what a lovely comment, yes I totally agree with you,
being by the sea, staying in a cabin would be such
a wonderful experience. Glad that I could bring some
of that magic to you.

By the way, I'm overwhelmed at your wonderful words
to me, I really don't know what to say.

But thankyou for reading, glad you enjoyed.

Jenny.

skinner_jennifer | May 2, 2011 - 16:47

Hi SundaysChild,

It's so kind of you to read and take the time to
leave a comment, it's always appreciated.

Glad you enjoyed.

Jenny.

Silver Spun Sand | May 2, 2011 - 17:09

It seems we both had the sea on our minds this afternoon, Jenny. This is a beautiful poem. You really do paint a wonderful picture with your words.

Tina;-)

insertponceyfre... | May 2, 2011 - 17:09

Jenny you've done a really good job of building up the atmosphere in this poem - I especially like the first stanza

Highhat | May 2, 2011 - 17:36

Yes I agree with all that has been said. Wonderfully haunting and maybe even a bit sad with the longing "phantom".

fatboy74 | May 2, 2011 - 21:30

Again this is really good Jenny - you are being more economical with your phrasing and missing some words out which is working really well. Really effective. Keep it going! :-)

skinner_jennifer | May 3, 2011 - 09:36

Hi Tina,

isn't it strange how the sea draws you back, time
and time again?

I hope you had a fine day in your garden and thankyou
so much for reading and your kind words.

Jenny.

skinner_jennifer | May 3, 2011 - 09:44

Hi insert,
thankyou so much for reading, I'm so glad you enjoyed
and also thankyou for the great comment. I have to say, that the whole poem led on from that first stanza, the phantom and the boat just came into my
mind.

Jenny.

skinner_jennifer | May 3, 2011 - 09:46

Hi Pia,

I'm glad you picked up on the saddness of that poor
soul longing to be out at sea, but only watching and
waiting.

Thankyou so much for reading and your kind comment.

Jenny.

skinner_jennifer | May 3, 2011 - 09:50

Hi fatboy,

what a very nice comment you have made, I'm glad
that you enjoyed this poem. I have to say that I'm
learning all the time on this great place ABC Tales.

It's only through the help of others, that I can
learn to get better, so I really do appreciate the
comment.

Thankyou,

Jenny.

mikepyro | May 5, 2011 - 16:59

Def better than the last poem of yours I read. I enjoy the subtle beauty and flow but most of all I like the fact that you don't insist on filling it with overly flowery imagery and instead use simple imhes to focus on the profound experience of the fisher. Nicely done!

skinner_jennifer | May 5, 2011 - 17:04

Hi mikepyro,

it's very kind of you to read this poem, I do
appreciate your feedback and great comment. Glad
you enjoyed this one.

Thankyou,

Jenny.