.
Ghost Ship
.
A ghost ship
Riding the fog
Night of the dog
Silence weighed heavy
In days of yore
During the War
When a whispered breath
Could bring death
.
Image: http://granny1947.wordpress.com
©DGA 03 January 2012 08:40
.
Ghost Ship
.
A ghost ship
Riding the fog
Night of the dog
Silence weighed heavy
In days of yore
During the War
When a whispered breath
Could bring death
.
Image: http://granny1947.wordpress.com
©DGA 03 January 2012 08:40
I am a middle-aged South African woman, living in Johannesburg. I began writing poetry towards the end of May 2010. I love animals – sometimes more than people! I am back after a break. Thanks for still being here, if you are! Missed you! xxx
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03/01/2012 at 9:31 am
Hehe…lovely to see my pic there and to know it inspired you!
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03/01/2012 at 9:40 am
I love the photo, Gran. It is so full of atmosphere…!
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03/01/2012 at 9:47 am
Granny’s photo inspired you – I think that’s brilliant!
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03/01/2012 at 12:36 pm
I thought the photo was brilliant, Barb! Thanks.
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03/01/2012 at 10:58 am
Your poem reminds me of the Flying Dutchman, Denise.
As long as the folk on that mysterious looking ship haven’t seen FD, they’ll be alright!
John
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03/01/2012 at 12:37 pm
I must refresh my memory about that story, John. It rings a faint bell… 🙂
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03/01/2012 at 4:40 pm
The Flying Dutchman was a ghostly ship. If you were to see it while at sea, you would meet a terrible death. Wikipedia has a good writeup.
John
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03/01/2012 at 5:20 pm
Thanks, John. Will google it maybe tomorrow.
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03/01/2012 at 1:50 pm
To what does “night of the dog” refer?
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03/01/2012 at 3:53 pm
I wanted it to refer to the dog star Sirius:
Sirius is also known colloquially as the “Dog Star”, reflecting its prominence in its constellation, Canis Major (Greater Dog).[11] The heliacal rising of Sirius marked the flooding of the Nile in Ancient Egypt and the “dog days” of summer for the ancient Greeks, while to the Polynesians it marked winter and was an important star for navigation around the Pacific Ocean.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius
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03/01/2012 at 1:54 pm
The photo is filled with mystery and wonder … just like life.
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03/01/2012 at 3:54 pm
I agree with you, Maxi. Very mysterious to see a ship that size in the fog… challenges the imagination…
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03/01/2012 at 4:36 pm
Quite ominous!
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03/01/2012 at 5:22 pm
Yes, it does look a bit threatening… Fog can be dark – in more ways than one, Liz.
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03/01/2012 at 4:45 pm
As an old ‘sea dog’ I particularly liked this one Denise..Love the picture too.. It’s so true about the slightest sound, especially onboard a submarine.. Noticing your comments on “the night of the dog” In the U.S. Navy there is what they call the “first dog watch” I think it is the midnight to four am watch.. I’ll have to refresh my memory as well..Nice post.
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03/01/2012 at 5:25 pm
Thanks, Jake. I just wrote what came into my head, re dog night, then googled it and I thought it fit quite well – considering I’m not a seaman, lol!
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03/01/2012 at 4:49 pm
I stand corrected on the times of the watches..The first dog watch is 4-6 pm and the second dog watch is 6-8 pm.
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03/01/2012 at 5:26 pm
Thanks for that, Jake. 🙂
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03/01/2012 at 5:01 pm
Very mysterious…
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03/01/2012 at 5:28 pm
Yes, Jeannie, probably only from afar though.
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03/01/2012 at 6:22 pm
the ship certainly has a ghostly quality to it…and nice reflection back to the war and what that ship might have held for the viewer….nice adee
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03/01/2012 at 6:40 pm
Thanks, Brian! 🙂
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03/01/2012 at 7:12 pm
Well done. Especially the last two lines which reminded me of the Hunt for Red October . . . unheard and unseen as it traveled through the deep.
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03/01/2012 at 7:34 pm
I loved that movie, Nancy, and similar. There’s always someone who drops a screwdriver or something while they are all holding their breath!
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03/01/2012 at 8:56 pm
Oh, fabulously sinister, Denise!
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03/01/2012 at 9:05 pm
Thanks so much, Kate. I owe you a huge apology. I will be catching up on your posts, among many others, in the next couple of days. I ran out of time on a few days and now am waaay behind! 🙂
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05/01/2012 at 8:43 am
Maritimely spooky!
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05/01/2012 at 11:30 am
Isn’t it just, Col! 🙂
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05/01/2012 at 9:33 pm
Our life is like a ship…constantly moving forward, sailing through the sea of life.
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06/01/2012 at 12:32 am
Life being like a sea is an excellent analogy, Epizeuxis, because sometimes it is rough and sometimes smooth and calm.
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06/01/2012 at 2:43 am
I have been watching the series “Hornblower” on DVD, so this is quite apposite. I’d recommend it if you-haven’t seen it. Very well made, with a strong morality theme of loyalty and honour.
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06/01/2012 at 7:34 am
I must remember that, Ben. I hadn’t heard of the series. Thank you.
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06/01/2012 at 10:51 am
Ooh yes, wonderfully creepy, the poem and picture both
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06/01/2012 at 10:58 am
Thanks! I think that’s why I love Gran’s photo, Bb. Like the ship is skulking just over the horizon, but the camera got close enough to see it!
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