The silent halo of a yawning sun
dies in muddy, murky afternoon;
as orange embers paint the sea.
a moaning surge that lick the shore
can bear the burden of their boat away.
See on the foamy crest they ride
to meet a wreck upon the haggard reef.
Their backs are wet with brine and sweat,
to save the cargo for our wealth
with adze and spear they reach the wreck
and put the coxswain to his rest.
In smell of peat and food we cook
and mourn with ale at midnight feast.
Our starving children will survive,
the price was paid with seamen’s blood.
The wreck of a transport ship by William Turner
—-
February 10, 2015
Björn Rudbergs writings 
What a price paid. I’d say paid gladly to feed the children. Heartbreaking tale you’ve told here.
I think it’s a price paid too often in the past..
true , often sacrifices have to be made like this
Sad and real alas..
Harrowing… Well told…
Such a wonderfully written tale.
our children will survive…
and for a true parent..is there anything that one
would not be willing to sacrifice…
though that too
is often silent…
luv the classical meter and the chosen words
much love…
Stories of the sea intrigue me, as did this one you have told. I especially like that middle stanza.
Intesnse. It crashes in all the right places.
ah… another wonderful read… took us on a bit of adventure… felt the movement and life in this
Bjorn, finally back on the net. This is a vivid piece, so much detail about the sacrifice and hardship of those who make their living at sea. The meter is wonderful; reads so smoothy that the choppy waters are almost at odds with the smooth lines! Amy
You bring up the difficulty and labor of life in many circumstances in the past; described vividly. Thanks, Bjorn. k.
I’ve read about this–and we often forget how hard and brutal the struggle for life can be. You bring out the basic urge to live at any cost here, without excuses, and it’s a sad hard truth to read, but perfectly presented.
I love the sea and yours has so many vivid images~ Yes, we are have moments of being washed ashore, battling the elements~ You painted
with a hurricane eye~! Well Done
This is excellent as an ekphrasis poem but also stands alone to capture the emblematic vision of man’s battle against nature.
Very tragic piece about the salvage of a shipwreck. It’s one of those jobs someone has to do to survive. Well done. :— Suzanne
Wonderful poetic tale – well, really not a tale as this really is a moment in history – and one we will always battle, man vs. nature.
i’m seeing this as scavengers
picking the detritus of others mishaps
sometimes they put up false beacon lights
to lure unwary sailors to the rocks
tragic
namaste
jzb
Tragic indeed!
Your tale is so visual, the sorrow and struggle visceral.
Really nice poem… the first two lines pulled me right in. Beautiful in its harshness.
An epic write that transports the reader. Masterful wordsmithing in a piece that feels tike a masterpiece come-to-life!
The wrecked lives of some offering hope of a future for others. Truthful but morbid. Nicely done.