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MERCHANT SHIPS
Their kind no longer carry
tall sails that fill with
the wind,
But as their ancestors before
them, their holds brim with cargo
to foreign parts destined.
They slide into the estuary
heading off to the deeps,
Passing Spurn Head Light
that a lone vigil keeps;
Their bows scythe the channel,
cut a wide furrow,
The giants of the sea with a
star to follow. |  | | |
Spurn Head Light |
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Spurn Head at the mouth of the River Humber, a narrow spit of land always under
threat by the might of the North Sea. | |
SEA WIND (Wells-Next-The Sea)
An angry sea breaks through
a blanket of mist,
The wind, a whetted knife cuts
with cold persist;
In the channel boats strain at
their anchor against the run
of the sea,
Sheltering from the storm, boats
lay huddled against the quay.
Seabird flocks rest on the
marshes sparse cover,
Riding it out till the
long blow is over. |  |
SEA FURY (1953)
From out of the dark depths of
a coal black night,
An unfettered wind unleashed
its fury, whipping the waves
into a frenzy;
Storm driven rain stung like
angry wasps.
Against a ravenous sea
harbour defences trembled,
Heaving mountains of green
water surged;
Foam crested billows roller
coasted.
Along curved man made concrete
ramparts,
Monolithic water spouts of foam
laden fury erupted high into the
night borne air.
At the height of the storm
heavy seas pounded their might,
Battering a long line of coastal
defences. | |
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Tall Ships at Aberdeen Scotland
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BIG SHIPS
The waves tell me a story of far
away places as I repose on a
pebble strewn beach,
And the spirits of the wind tell
of their wandering ways that is
theirs to preach.
Pied Pipers of the channel guide
big ships a safe course to keep;
Leaving the harbour, merchantman
dream of wide open spaces as their
prows plough the crests to the deeps.
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| All poems and graphics copyright Peter Morriss 2004 | | | Sea Fury first published by Triumph House 2001 | |
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