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

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

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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.

[Lydia Shutter]

Isn't it wonderful how another poet can inspire our words? This is the great advantage of a site like Writer's Cafe! To gaze at the sun and know you are fortunate...know your life is worth living and filled with loveliness.....is to find inner peace. The imagery you employ throughout this poem is stunning and the rhythm and rhyme are flawless. Great work. Lydi**

[SyberRose]

The imagery is extremely engaging...an a powerful emotive piece as well...I enjoyed the theme and it's always great when we can be inspired by another poem or poet...Nicely penned...Loved it Rick...Rose:)

[emmajoy]

When a teen I came across an old book,,bought and read it, gave it to a jumble sale. Silly me, because back of my mind the content and style of it have lingered. Ingoldsby Legends it was called and was full of strange stories and poems, some quite eerie. And, Rick, the poem above, finely written - as ever, reminds me of it not only in style but mood and, needless to say, your appropriate use of language.

As to the content, it's made me wonder what led you to write it, maybe fleeting thoughts, maybe something deeper or discussions - or queries that have been drifting inside your mind for some time. Things happen, they fade or stay and grow, hence the apparentt watery graveyard, But in time, with consideration and a change of direction, views alter, the path goes another and brighter way. Perhaps that's what you come away with at the last word .. or, let's say, that's how i felt it. As always your writing fascinates me, this is more emotional than many you've written, whether intentional or not .. impressive, Rick, truly.

[Sheila Kline]

Dear Rick!

I extend first of all words of appreciation to Great Aunt Astri for creating her poem that speaks of the hope that lies beyond hope for without it your words of hope and inspiration would not have been birthed - so THANK YOU GREAT AUNT ASTRI!! Her poem is inspiring, enough to give cause to stir deep emotions in you my dear friend to be able to examine that which is hope for you and ponder just what is it about this lost ship with bodies resting at the bottom of the sea that makes one stop and examine life - both past and future?

To address form, meter, etc. - as always flawless! But, I am sure you shall continue to edit as perfection is that for which you strive, and we shall see edits in working towards that goal - all of which I am certain shall only improve an already seemingly flawless write!

As for message - what is my favorite verse?

Your words create vivid images in my mind, and I can see the lost ship resting with other ships, and hear the distant cry of those resting at the bottom of the sea as they are rallied by the Captain, urging them to sail on, as we are inspired to carry on to be released from the land of the lost to a place that is birthed by our hope and resolve to forge on!

But, this is not my favorite thought..................
Of all the verses of your magnificent creation, I am most touched by your words:

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!

for it is in these words that I find the ultimate message of your poem - that no matter what has happened in the past, no matter where we are at the present, and no matter what tomorrow brings, it is the realization of the blessings we have that is valued as we gather all the facts, analyze, attempt to understand the why and how of it, and then with great emotion, we understand how blessed we have been! The ships lost, the watery grave, the Captain spurring them on from a place that could to some be deemed as their final resting place, to a place where one shall truly LIVE again -that moment when hope becomes life!

My second favorite verse is:

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

simply because it is so beautiful - oh those jeweled rays of light cutting through the sea as moved were the clouds that held the darkness.

In summary, this is indeed one of my favorites of your writes Rick! There are many to choose from and I already have my # 1 which shall never be removed from that spot, but I place this as my second favorite! I am in awe of your ability to create - you are an artist par excellence! (Oh, I haven't forgotten you are a Scientist...lol)

I commend you for a wonderful write of hope and inspiration........in the hope that lies beyond!!


Finding joy in every day,
Sheila

[Marie]

A nice supplement to Astri's poem...sailing ships full of hope...

[Mollie]

I love it Rick, Simple and evocative.

[YouoweYoupay]

This was amazing. I thought Id be reading a random piece of cliche dreary dreams or sleepless thought filled nights. But instead I found a poem with a twist on the stereotype that surrounds sunken ships and hopes. Loved the quick pace and rich images of ghost sails and ghost crew. The language was heavy and uncommon,too. Reading your poem in a British accent was entertaining. I genuinely enjoyed this spirit lifting piece. Thank you.

-Rain.

[Emerald Seas]

A wonderful story, Rick. Many times our view of current events are skewed by our own experiences. All it takes is to look at something from a new perspective (or within a dream) for us to feel invigorated and recharged, full of hope toward better tomorrows.

Thoroughly enjoyed this well written poem, my friend!
Sirrah