At dVerse Ingrid is hosting Poetics with an invitation to write using the narrative voice.
dVerse Poets – Poetics – Exploring the Narrative Voice
“…. it is a boat longing for the sea and yet afraid.” Edgar Lee Masters
The Old Boat I creak and groan like an arthritic bone, my timbers are brittle and fey, and I'm uncertain of my future but they are taking me once again across the adventure of waters that thrill my boards and fill my sheets with risk and the trample of my deck, and I wait for the sea to wash me clean of all that human debris, now this might be my last as my time is well past, but I'd rather sink than be scuttled on clay. ©Paul Vincent Cannon
parallax 
This is excellent: I love the idea of giving a voice to an old boat. The phrase ‘across the adventure of waters’ is wonderful. The ending carries a similar message to ‘Do not go gentle into that good night.’
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I do love Thomas’ work, especially that one, so it’s leaking out of me. Thank you for sharing this Ingrid.
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Enjoyed reading the voice of a boat.
These lines are moving and insightful :-
now this might be my last as my time
is well past, but I’d rather sink than
be scuttled on clay.
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Thank you so much for sharing this Kitty, very much appreciated. Glad you enjoyed it.
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You are welcome. 🙂
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well shiver me timbers, a sailors sinking swan song!
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I’ll have ye keelhauled if ye get cheeky like.
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oh please, I could do with a wash 🙂
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And I thought it was the catch in the hold 🙂
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now that’s downright nasty, to the plank!
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Well you said it, so here I go, in with the sharks and swim to shore ….. 🙂
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wadda ya mean, you already swim with the sharks … that’s not a challenge for you!
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That’s what I mean, me mates 🙂
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… you need some better quality friends Paul!
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That’s why I jumped in 🙂
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lol that choked me up!
hey I’ve got a retired archbishop as a neighbour, any chance you’d know him?
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Probably only know of him, I’ve met a few but don’t really know them, who is it?
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Greg and Dale, haven’t asked the surname
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If its who I think – then Greg is a person of high integrity and paid a huge price for his integrity.
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very special man, we immediately clicked, sadly Dale is not well … he keeps retiring but is always tempted back to relieve locals. Very glad to have him as a neighbour!
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So good to have neighbours you trust and like.
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absolutely helps 🙂
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🙂
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There’s life in the old girl yet. Bon voyage 🙂
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Ha, hopefully it’s only going across the bay 🙂
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That frail bark that went to sea
might have been humanity
or was it merely you or me?
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Good question, on days when I’m fed up with people the fewer the better. 🙂 Thanks Pat.
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You quite eloquently put yourself into the mind of an old boat …. and took us along for the voyage!
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That is wonderful to hear, I’m so glad it had that affect Beverly.
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I identify with the boat (lol)…..some creaks and groans….but not ready for dry dock quite yet!
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Glad to hear it, but yes, it is an allegory really. Thank you for sharing that Sandy.
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Sure!
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Paul, This is a very thought-provoking poem and brings so many ideas and images about how life should end. So beautiful! ❤ Wishing you smooth sailing!
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Yes, an allegory of life’s autumn years, thinking of my family elders in particular who are not yet ready but also not so confident.
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Loved this!
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Thank you Cheryl 🙂
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An old boat is the perfect analogy for we ‘ancients.’ A thoroughly enjoyable bit of poetry …..
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Yes, one or two more runs, but not as certain of the journey, many thanks Helen.
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This is such a lovely poem Paul.
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Thank you so much Jim, I’m glad you liked it.
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Don’t we all want to go out with dignity?
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I think that is true Ken, I know I do.
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What an excellent voice you gave the old boat… and ending up mudstuck at shore has to be the worse end for any rider of waves.
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Ominous.
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Yes, absolutely.
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I love your perfect metaphor for growing old and contemplating dying. These are the lines that leapt off the screen at me:
and I wait for the sea to wash me clean
of all that human debris,
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Thank you for writing this poem. I could easily visualize the creaky boat anticipating his (I’m not sure why but the voice to me was a male one) one last time crossing the sea. He’d rather leave the world doing what he loves to do than sit around in the muck. You have conveyed so much in a few lines. Well done!
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Thank you for sharing how it spoke to you Kathleen, so glad you liked it.
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The soul of a boat is speaking. 😉 Sometimes dealing with old things is really reminiscent of disturbing the peace of the dead. Michael
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It sure can be Michael 😉
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😉
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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🙂
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Always a pleasure to read and share your posts with followers, Paul!! Have a great day!
😊👍✨✨🎉
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank you 🙂
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Blew my mind!
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Thank you so much Kally.
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Beautiful poem but a little sad
>
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Yes, that latter life reflection.
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