This Poem was Submitted By: Thomas H. Smihula On Date: 2004-12-08 10:57:41 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Norsemen of Antiquity

Finding oneself adrift upon the open seas No anchor to hold steadfast no sail to maintain a course In the depths below unsolved mysteries In the heaven above eternal light bestowed The current moves this vessel forward Towards a destination uncharted yet predetermined Music from the waters passing the sirens of mythology Eyes are closed and forward momentum gained Yonder a shoreline abruptly the ship rests Upon an outer sand bar giving hope for a new adventure Now upon land traveling towards the east Again the sea is reached forcing a directional shift Venturing north, south same result Land mass surrounded by the oceans allure Rock formation abound silhouettes form Algae lay upon the surface resembling a blanket covering The largest shape appears as if a cape is worn One that may have been discarded by Neptune himself Now shadows form as clouds play peek-a-boo with the sun Coolness prevails Darkness is now seen in the midday moments Sense a storm approaching with its full force Thoughts now shift to focus on the land Barren, no fruit life withdrawn Question arise Return once again to the ship Remain upon the land What is best? To return to the ship an endless journey  To remain on land to be swallowed by the surge Decision made….once again adrift….

Copyright © December 2004 Thomas H. Smihula

Additional Notes:
What prompted this write were several things. One was a college assignment my son was taking regarding the Vikings. A section of the report included the poet that traveled with the ship to write about the experiences for it was seen as good luck to have one aboard. Realizing my maternal ancestry includes Norway and Denmark I thought I would include a script about life and how it continues on even after the Viking has fanished in body, yet in legends and thoughts they continue on. Look deep into this one for life is the adventure and the experience eternal...


This Poem was Critiqued By: Jennifer j Hill On Date: 2005-01-06 21:49:30
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Tom, So good to see your work here again. This has been a crazy busy month for me and I feel bad because I had such good intentions for critiquing this month and just didn't get it done and now I'm running out of time. So this will have to be short but meaningful. I have read and reread this poem because I enjoy it so much. Each time I try to critique it I end up having to wait because I want to say more then I have time to write. So I guess I'll just tell you what I like about it. Everything...well, for instance the title is very magnetic. Drew me right in. Not to mention the first part of "Finding oneself adrift upon the open seas No anchor to hold steadfast no sail to maintain a course" I love this because it reminds me so much of life. You can plot a course, but in the end you'll be adrift without sail. An adventure for sure! Where will it lead. Only the current and maybe the wind can tell you. But one things for sure whether you stay adrift or land somewhere and stay awhile there will be lessons to learn and take with you and it all adds up to life. You can either roll with the waves and enjoy it or fight it every step of the way and come up with nothing at the end. I think in essense that is what you're saying here in a most enjoyable way. Thanks for blessing TPL with this gift at such an appropriate time of year. Best, Jennifer


This Poem was Critiqued By: arnie s WACHMAN On Date: 2005-01-01 19:38:38
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.88235
And on they came. But I am confused about your direction of East. Is that on the Eastern shore and striking out towards the West or vice versa? If they went without sail did they drift or did they have oars? Who were these people? Norsemen you say. Remenants of Norse remain to this day on the shores of Newfoundland which are considered to be of 11th century well before any European set foot, Cabot, Champlain, etc. Interesting read and well set out. Thanks for the read.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne Duval Morgan On Date: 2004-12-28 15:41:33
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Thomas, Facinating piece of the Viking heritage, written in starkness as to what these adventures faced, Men of the Sea, strong, willing to face the unknown, a hard life, I think for the most part oarsmen were the power of locomotion, even upon death they went to Valhalla, like the seamen they were, upon a pyre (the lighting ship), to face Oden? (their diety), men who found the North American continent, even before Columbas, a mighty feat. The adventures were pleasure cruises I believe, but a hard life. Yes, my knowledge is scant, however I realize what they were facing, the unknown, they did it anyhow. Your poem rings out the clarity of their existence abount these ships, it contains the mist salt that probably keep them from ever being totally dry when they were on the main deck of the ship, it rings of a long lost lifestyle. It is a fitting title for a strongly written account of the Norsemen. Great presentation and a part of poetic historic lore. Glad to be able to communicate, just hope my comments are accurate, enjoyable to read, and nice to see you here once again, always .... Joanne Morgan (jo Mo)
This Poem was Critiqued By: James Edward Schanne On Date: 2004-12-22 09:58:55
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.75000
I keep coming back top this one wanting to comment but unsure if I can do it adequate, I enjoy it quite abit and of course it brings the name leaf erikson to mind and the hardships the Norsemen faced so long ago, Thanks for the good read.
This Poem was Critiqued By: charles r pitts On Date: 2004-12-10 03:14:44
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
LIVE LIFE! for one day you will find that time has snuck up on you, and the hour is later than you thought. There are still many things to fulfill in your life. Roll with the changes and stay true to aspirations. There are many detours and hazards out there, but always keep your eyes on the prize. Do not be afraid of the new and unknown, yet investigate and educate yourself and make your own decisions based on knowledge and experience. Don't be led throughout the living of your life, instead carve your own path through the wilderness so that others may follow. Is this close? I hope so because I really connected with this. I had to read it several times to piece things together, and decided this was a better way to express my thoughts instead of a stanza-breakdown.
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