Books

Where your heart becomes a cannon spit iron on the whale Follow him through perdition's flame then live to tell the tale

 

There is no ship quite like a book

it wanders as it may

Then takes us out amongst the waves

where gods and children play

 

To places far and wide we trek

chase hell's whale 'long the pole

Crest waves with Ahab na'er the cape

where gods may claim your soul

 

There your heart becomes a cannon

spit iron on the whale

Follow him through perdition's flame

and live to tell the tale

 

As the oarsmen all stagger back

cross themselves o’re the job

No hope to see another day

forlorn begin to sob

 

Imaginations running wild

wicked cruelty sublime
Chase your whale till you catch his tail

or till the end of time

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Author's Note

Books are the windows to the world. But more than that they traverse time itself. As they take you to Melviles time of Moby Dick. They inspire. More than that they create the world of imagination. For Ahab the White Whale was nothing to be so idealised, rather it was "...all the subtle demonisms of life and thought; all evil, to crazy Ahab, were visibly personified, and made practically assailable in Moby-Dick. He piled upon the whale's white hump the sum of all the general rage and hate felt by his whole race from Adam down; and then, as if his chest had been a mortar, he burst his hot heart's shell upon it."
Thank You Allen Eddings for that rendition of the classic tale

Reviews

[Anatomical Grip]

a wonderful job with this piece...its really great

[Richard Williams]

A wonderful poem referencing a great book and timeless story. In this poem I see some of your best artistic insight. From the very first line, a great line, to the end, there is both clarity and life lesson. A fine blending in a delightful work.

[Misty Blue Eyes]

wow this is something else. i love the way you word it just right. thanks for sharing this with us Tate and i hope all is well.

[Ladysue]

your words so true in your note and in this piece...You did a wonderful job on this piece. Loved how you ended this...awesome....

[JENY]

Sounds esoteric..….
Liked it….
books....I cant live without them...

[sarah]

Moby Dick was an interesting book and movie but this is a great poem!

[Aimee Mahathy]

This is awesome! :D My life, more or less, revolves around books. They are the only real means of time travel. They're really miracles. The best friends I've ever had I've found in books. :3
Great tribute!

[ice]

Well said, Tate...Indeed it reminds me of how much books have made indelible impressions on my brain...I was just thinking about how I have far too many on my shelves..after reading this, I feel I don't, and never will have too many.
Reading part one of Mark Twains autobiography ..got it for Christmas...
Books....Books....Books
Thanks for reminding me of how wonder filled they are.

[OtherWorldWoman]

I enjoy the style of this poem. It is very imaginitive and captures the true value of books, or writing in general. Good work :]

[KAREN]

Your poem speaks truth! Anybody can get lost in a book, go place they have never been! And if your writer you can get ideas and much more from a book!