The Poetry Lounge
A Refuge for Rhyme and Reason.

A Sinking Ship

Poem Illustration
Embark on an emotive voyage with A Sinking Ship, a ballad that encapsulates the timeless drama of the sea. Here, valor and duty merge in the face of inevitable demise as the poem tells the poignant tale of a captain's unwavering resolve. This resolve symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice for one's command. Through the lens of traditional maritime lore, the ballad explores universal themes of bravery, honor, and the deep, often tragic, bond between a captain and his ship. Witness the poetic recount of his final moments, where the sea claims its due, and heroism is etched into the annals of nautical legend.
The captain stood firm as his vessel sank low,
With courage unwavering, he faced his fate.
Water crept up, the ship began to go,
He knew well the burden of his captain's weight.

A hero in blue, with a heart so bold,
He didn't flee when the sea called his name.
To the depths, he pledged his ship and his soul,
For duty's call, he felt no shame.

With pride in his chest, he watched the sky,
The stars above bore witness to his stand.
He embraced the sea with a defiant eye,
On the bridge, where he made his last command.

Down, down, into the watery grave,
He went with his ship, not a single tear.
His legacy, like the ocean, vast and brave,
Sinks not with the ship, but in hearts, it's clear.

                

William Somero