Shackleton

Article London Times : Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.

Sir Ernest Shackleton
Speaking for myself I have to say this man was the greatest adventurer of all time. He led an expedition to cross the Antarctic in 1914. Plagued by hardship was frozen in. Managed by shear will and dogged cussedness to bring all his men out alive some 20 months later. His expedition came as close as any ever did to seeing the naked soul of mankind.

True success known by oh so few

who have held its taste so dear

Becoming one's most loving friend

as well as the thing they most fear

 

Is success so overwhelming

or reflection's failure you dread

Have a mind to be tested here

before on your fears you are fed

 

It's not he thinking better not

who will be served life’s greatest dish

Only a man who risks his pride

can dream of dining on his wish

 

Whichever man you choose to be

in this lifetime as in the next

Will lay foundation for the others

who study you and feel perplexed

 

The man who sees his limits dashed

rendered from toil of sweat and tears

Is he who has lived more in life

than most will know in all their years

 

Author's Note

A man among men he was the greatest adventurer of all time. Managing with 5 of his men a final 800 mile sail in a open dingy over the roaring forties in the Southern Ocean. Using dead reckoning and only two sightings in over two weeks sail. Fought starvation and frostbite through the fifty foot waves and storms. To land successfully on a tiny sliver of an Island called South Georgia. Then went back and save all his men. His sail and subsequent crossing of the interior of South Georgia island on foot,was miraculous. So much so the disbelieving whalers there rescued the tiny boat from the far side of the island. Carrying it on their shoulders, as if it were the Ark of the Covenant.
Returning to England he has always been a light to men. Those who seek adventure and purpose from the daring and dignity of their lives. His efforts to not only save oneself. But to pick up and carry his comrades home to safety as well. Stories told of him from the survivors of the Scott expedition say his character was kind and conciliatory to men of all walks. One man remarked" We were starving. None had eaten anything in 5 days. Shackleton forced his last biscuit upon me. Even though he too was starving. A man can't imagine the magninamity of such a act, who's never experianced it. But I shall never forget it!" He was to this man at least one of the greatest men who ever drew breath.

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

I love stories like this and was most moved by it. Despite mankind's many faults and short-comings, this tale of strength, dedication and honor begs one to argue our worthiness. If, one day, God says "Show me why I should let mankind go on," I should like for him to be told about Sir Ernest Shackleton.

[Bud]

No matter the mood. No matter the subject matter. Your pen makes all a moot point... Talent is all that it cares to talk or display. This is no different my friend. You have brought to the attention, what few have ever heard of or known about. A worthy story of telling. It shows just what determination, and sheer will can do for a person. Outstanding, as usual Tate.

[Sheila Kline]

Tate,
Truly, this is one of the most endearing tributes I have ever read to a person of great courage and fortitude, honor and lone for his mission and his men!
You have captured all of the qualities of a hero! I love the verse..............

It's not he thinking better not
who will be served life's greatest dish....

These lines pertain to so many throughout the ages who have had the courage to forge on! We are all better for it.

Long live the memory of this brave man!!!
This is going in my favorites!!! Brilliant, just absolutely brilliant and so very moving with the Sad Violin piece playing.

[emmajoy]

I'm so impressed that a non-Brit should write such a tribute .. not that nationality debars you for admiring someone. Shackleton really was an extraordinary man, overlooked to some extent because of Scott .. but the former really had the courage to do things that lesser men would not have even dreamed about.

Your words are really powerful in this, Tate .. ' Is he who has lived more in life,
than others know in all their years'

Great write, thank you.

(Try to read about our present day adventurer (Sir) Ranulph Fiennes - now he's one of my heroes!)

[StoryTailor]

Well, I knew nothing about this man until just right now. Oh, how you can learn so much after only a few minutes of reading poetry and... well, yes... I didn't even know he existed until before this. Still, it was a marvelous poem. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

[Tracie Skarbo]

Great job on a hero amung men. His story is one of the ages and should be shared amungst the youth of today. I cannot imagine what a struggle it was and the amount of strength in character is overwhelming...great job!

[Aradie Rain]

This was truely amazing, the music is a beautiful touch to this strong and emotional piece. This piece has changed my view on alot of things, and it was just what I was in need of. Thank you so much.
~Aradie

[An owl on the moon]

I was able to see an exhibit of Shackleton and a documentary of his life just a few years back... You give a powerful tribute to this extraordinary man and his courage... Vivid and rich!

[Gary McDonald]

Both the story behind it and the poem itself are incredibly inspirational. This is a very powerful piece. Loved it!!