The Hope that Lies Beyond

...A dream of the resurrection of the spirit...

 

A stormy moon.  Photographer: pullarf. License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic. This image has been modified from the original.  The original image can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/puliarfanita/5539685471/sizes/o/in/photostream/

 

 

The Hope that Lies Beyond

 

 Inspired by Great Aunt Astri’s poem “THE HOPE THAT LIES BEYOND HOPE” (http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/greatauntastri/1239458/). Thank you, Dear Lady!

Oh, how life's trials consumed my heart!

I faced each day in dread

My life was so devoid of joy

Held woe I could not shed

And desparate to end this curse--

To find from pain release--

I lifted goblet to my lips

Drank full, then slipped to peace

 

And as I slept upon my bed

A dream appeared to me

It seemed that I in water swam

Then sank into the sea

 

And down and down my body sank

Pulled down into the deep

I felt my lungs about to burst--

Prepared for final sleep

 

But on the bottom’s rippled sands

Were sunken ships arrayed

The ships not in sad disrepair

But stately were displayed

 

No rotting timber marred their hulls

No mud-encrusted sterns

This not a death-bed of the deep

These ships by God ne'er spurned

 

This not a graveyard damp and dark--

Wrecks ravaged by petards

No ghostly sailors beyond hope

No soul from heaven barred

 

But proudly sails were hoisted high

Filled full by current drafts

The sight did draw from me a sigh

To see such spritely crafts

 

And as these vessels strained to move--

To free hulls from the sands

Methought I heard a Captain cry

“Me hearties, next stop land!”

 

And spirit crews did then appear

Trimmed sails and manned the ropes

So lively did the sailors move

My God, it gave one hope!

 

Then clouds did move from overhead

And light of moon did gleam

Jeweled rays of light cut through the sea

And lit this brilliant scene

 

Then slowly from their watery graves

The ships began to move

Their hulls now free from sandy bar--

Untimely death reproved!

And then the Captain looked at me

He winked, then turned, he, back

I heard him cry out to his men

"Now Laddies, mind her tack"

And as the vessels pulled away

In water I did rise

Then somehow walked a sun-lit beach

With life restored as prize

And gazing at the sun, amazed

I clutched myself in tears

Oh how my life had been so blessed

I'll cherish all my years!

Then I awoke upon my bed--

My fears all swept away

Oh was this dream or was this truth?

I really cannot say

 

And yet I’ll always cherish this--

This vision of my dream

And whether true or whether false

I’m stronger so it seems

 

And I can see those sunken ships--

Can see them sail away

And now can face the world again!

Find joy in every day

 

 

©2013 Richard Puetter

All rights reserved

Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga

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Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga

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Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga, Gaga

resurrection, resurrection, resurrection, resurrection, resurrection, resurrection, resurrection

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resurrection, resurrection, resurrection, resurrection, resurrection, resurrection, resurrection

Reviews

[Great Aunt Astri]

You've done a wonderful job of this! It does sound like a sea shanty and you have created order into the 'chaos' of my poem. The scientific mind v the artistic mind! Both valid, of course! The poem sounds really quite dramatic when read aloud! Congratulations.

[Ezekiel Silver]

A remarkable poem with excellent use of rhyming and imagery. The moral of the tale was superb!

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

Hello Rick,
This is a beauty of a poem, it reads so well.. It is so uplifting,spiritual and reverent.
Gives hope to us all. I enjoyed this very much! Using ships as a meaning of life anew is very
clever, a gorgeous read and write. Thank you!

Chloe

[Rick Puetter]

Hi Chloe,

The idea to use the ships, of course, was entirely Astri's. Yes, it is clever. I would say brilliant.

Rick

[SarahLin]

Absolutely beautiful. I'm so glad I happened upon it. The title grabbed my attention and I just had to read it. So happy that I did.
.

[Tate Morgan]

A second chance brought about by your own forgiveness of past failures as learning curves that we all go through. Well told well written . You have created a great tale here. Thanks for sending me this way. I am envious of the creation bravo

[Ellen Hammond]

This lovely poem speaks volume to me as I lived by the sea for most of my adult life and have often found inspiration from it. Thanks for sharing this vision of hope. Penned with perfection as always, my friend.

[Wendy Seames Garner]

I too find comfort from"The Hope That Lies Beyond", though I haven't dreamed of sunken ships setting sail. My dreams are of a beautiful, fairy-like figure, whose laughter fills my dreams. She watches over me and protects me from the beyond, my constant companion. Thanks, Rick, for sharing your dream of "The Hope That Lies Beyond".

[Barbara Walker]

What wonders there are in the deep! A resurrection of the spirit can be attained through a message that is meant for one alone. Great imagery, syntax and rhymes. A beautiful piece!

[zainul]

I am really captivated in the fabulous world under sea
This is a golden piece of enjoyment and hopeful spree

[Ruth]

Absolutely sailed me! This is so beautifully crafted...I am in awe...what a journey...a favourite xx

[Mollie]

Lovely Rick! Wonderful belief in hope and imagery.