sailors adrift
on the becalmed seas
tattered sails hanging limp
become shadows on white skins
below the cargo
are quiet
exhausted by hunger and heat
the depths of their despair
ebb and flow
with creaking timbers
all are waiting
for a fair wind
a cool night
the sight of land
an end to this.
Thanks to Tess at magpie tales for the prompt photo, go over and see all the others
man...made me think of the slave trade...what a nasty business ...interestingly enough my thoughts went to race relations as well...
ReplyDeleteVery creative... I love the many different ways the picture can take us. I never would have guessed sails, but it does make sense.
ReplyDeleteI definitely saw a sea in this as well. Good work!
ReplyDeletesharp imagery, from your own perspective.
ReplyDeleteYours is a challenging response to the image - not so pretty but very good indeed.
ReplyDeleteIsabel x
Fine take on the prompt - it does have a thousand options. :)
ReplyDeleteA beautifully crafted poem.....love this! :-)
ReplyDeleteI, too, instantly thought of the slave trade. All those bodies thrown together in the holds of ships. I can see it here in your words and Tess's prompt. I especially love the last stanza.
ReplyDeleteGosh, you have such a on-target
ReplyDeletebeautiful way with words.