All At Sea

By luigi_pagano

Thu, 08 Aug 2019
  • 258 reads
4 comments
 
I am Christopher Columbus, a seafarer
who sailed west looking for the Orient
but I underestimated the true distance
and discovered new lands by accident.
 
Following my success I was a hero,
and was made Governor and Viceroy
of the new territories, a great honour
that I accepted with dignity and joy.
 
From this venture I amassed wealth
for myself and for King Ferdinand
who, with Isabella, reigned in Spain.
My services were much in demand.
 
Then jealousy raised its ugly head,
rumours circulated that I was bent,
accused of being cruel to the indios
and of causing a lot of malcontent.
 
After my third voyage of discovery,
there were games of brinkmanship
on the part of my treacherous foes
who robbed me of the governorship.
 
I am hurt by this unwarranted feud
and feel my days may be numbered.
I'm dreading that my achievements
and my name won't be remembered.

 

© Luigi Pagano 2019
 
(The picture is in the public domain)

 

 
Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Fantasy
Historical Fiction

Comments

Submitted by Tom Brown on

There is something in your verse I cannot understand. It is in the rhyme itself. Original, inventive? It baffles me how the stories are conveyed with such endless resourcefulness.

Ok he did not discover a sea route to India as we all know, and how he discovered something far greater! Or did he? Some business about the Vikings and more and even the land itself.

Keep well Luigi!

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hello Tom, thanks for looking in.
Perhaps the best way is for me is to explain what this poem is all about.
It is not a biography, nor it is a factual account although it is based on facts. It is labelled “historical fiction” and “fantasy” and that's what it is, pure imagination  It is what I would describe as a narrative poem.
Its dictionary definition is: “ Narrative poetry tells stories through verse. Like a novel or a short story, a narrative poem has plot, characters, and setting. Using a range of poetic techniques such as rhyme and meter, the narrative poet presents a series of events, often including action and dialogue. In most cases, narrative poems have only one speaker—the narrator—who relates the entire story from beginning to end.”
In my piece I imagine of being a depressed Columbus (the narrator) reflecting on what has happened to him since the initial euphoria; he has been vilified and stripped of his titles and wonder if he has a future and whether anyone will remember his exploits or even his name.
The theory that the Vikings got there before him is irrelevant because in 1498 such speculation would not have existed.
I hope that a learned mathematicians like you can say: QED. As a humble poet I say E&OE.

My best wishes, Luigi
 

 

 

Submitted by Nolan on

"The theory that the Vikings got there before him is irrelevant because in 1498 such speculation would not have existed." Tricky, I don't agree. Although I think I do understand you.

And he never even made it all the way Luigi? Is it so?

Learned mathematicians are mostly brawling drunk barbarians hanging out in bars and clubs drinking and being obnoxious you'd know if you knew one. Not learned at all, most are quite ignorant.

QED is Quite Easily Done, I must sound very stupid but what is E&OE? & Nolan

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hi Nolan, one can only summarise the Christopher Columbus's saga in a poem. If one wants a more comprehensive knowledge history is the relevant source. On the point you don't agree with, perhaps I can quote the extract of an article from history.com "Archeologists have unearthed evidence that supports the sagas’ stories of the Norse expeditions to America. In 1960, Norwegian explorer Helge Ingstad scoured the coasts of Labrador and Newfoundland for signs of a possible settlement," 
QED is Latin quod erat dēmōnstrandum (which was to be shown or demonstrated)
E&OE = Errors and omissions excepted
Best, Luigi