The Overnight Ferry

I could never sleep on the overnight Ferry
Hours spent trailing, inside and out.
When the weather was rough
They'd bar the doors
While passengers staggered
Green to the 'gills'.
Watching the hardy as they sat in the bar
Laughing and clinging to their
'Medicinal' brew
Convinced that a 'brandy' would soon do the trick.
Those airless cabins, where you tossed and turned
Unable to sleep as your stomach churned.
But on days when the sea,
Was as smooth as a pond, I'd sit on the deck
Watch my world sailing by.
The smokers would huddle
Blowing rings to the sky, as a wind
Snatched their smoke to hide in the clouds
But night time was the best time
As a sleeping ship rolled
Onward and over a midnight sea,
With waves that slapped
Mistress Seas rebuke
Whispering, whispering,
Her wisdom and lore.
The smell of the brine picked up on a breeze
Teasing and tickling,
Playing games with your hair,
Sometimes a rebuke, as it whipped 'cross your eyes.
I'd watch as the lights
Shone on this mercurial Queen
With her jumping white horses
Sending spray in the air.
Those times on the Ferry, in a floating world,
Where lost in my dreams, I'd sail to the sky
When everything was possible
With a limitless view.
Sweet Ferry dreams, if only you knew.



Poetry by Elle The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 937 times
Written on 2016-05-21 at 19:54

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Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
What fun! Well described, too. I love riding on ferries, though those I've ridden have run only a few hours at most.
2016-05-25


shells
Such vivid descriptions, I have a soft spot for the overnight ferry, I left the C.Is for the U.K. on it, I enjoyed people watching and my father taught me crib as we couldn't sleep. There's something nice about being on deck and the smell of the sea, thanks for the memory.
2016-05-22


one trick pony The PoetBay support member heart!
"We are such stuff
As dreams are made on"
2016-05-22


Nancy Sikora
You've caught the magic of ships and seas beautifully.
2016-05-22



What wonderful images, Elle. You made me feel like I was there!
Ashe
2016-05-22


Chaucer Whethers The PoetBay support member heart!
Beautiful writing, Love it.x
2016-05-21