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.

[Stacy]

Interesting piece.

[Chloe Christine]

This is truly one of the best poems I've read in awhile. I love the entire foundation, the whole mask of this poem. it's honestly, the one of few I actually can follow and look at for a since of guide or something, if that makes sense. Very Very nice job, here.

[Siddartha Beth Pierce]

Well said. The last stanza especially sums up this tale very well. What a lesson to be learned and such a story! Thanks for sharing. Flows well and nice music too.
Light,
Siddartha

[Helen Crutchett]

Remarkable bravery from a true hero and certainly a man to learn great lessons from. A brilliant write and tribute from a talented poet. Well done Tate! ~ Helena

[bluessadmood]

Yes success always meant a lot to many..
it tasted so nice but could also be the thing most feared..
tell you the truth ..it means nothing no more..it only meant sweet joyful life
with inner content and peace with yourself..then failure or success means nothing
you have passed that degree..adventures you worked with your mind
and they so stretched time for you..its like you lived forever..every minute is a real life
thats how i see success..i never really knew failure as others do
lovely write
i could tell thousands of words in reply..

[Therene]

I found it interesting how you managed to encapsulate this great man's life in a short poem.

I like your depiction and flow.

Job well done. :D

[Star Wolf]

Like this poem. Sounds like he had quite the adventure and it turned out for the best in the end. If we only would believe in ourselves we could do great things even if no one else believes they are great. What matters is what we think.

[Jeff Bresee]

Cherry! - Love it.

The older I get, the more I can see that we are only limited by what we believe about our selves. I we only knew who we truly are...

[Tina Kline]

I'm not familiar with the story of Shackleton but I found the poem very inspiring none the less. Some will go forth and others will not. There is a place for everyone. I really like this. Very nice job.

[Allegra Pescatore]

I really like this. I think, particularly paired with the music, it is very moving. There were a few rhymes which brought be out of the mood, mostly "perplexed"

While I was reading this, I kept exchanging some of the words into older english ones, thous and arts and the like. I wonder if you thought of writing it a little old school? Just a thought.

Great work