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Free Verse--call and response challenge
Selections For Book Project
: A Tale of My Sea by michaelcahill



A Tale of My Sea

 
 
They call me Moby Dick


o'er the grand waters
I'm known and have shown
kindness and regard
for my fellows
and neighbors


I do not waver
to put fluke or spout
to any aid
and offer harm not
where harm is not due
 

indeed, though I am
a behemoth
fear does not find quarter
in my world
my steadfastness
proved worthy
 

even intruders
tolerated
to the point they tolerate me
 

But when murder comes calling
with the smell of dirt
and the smear of blood
and rust


patience wanes
 

I sound with fury
and seek with
a vengeful eye
 

who is this Ahab
this so-called
and would be captain?
 

master of floating sticks
and fluttering linens
 

I retreat for peace


you advance for war
 

then war it shall be
 

war and recompense
for your kind
of which
 

you
 

are so representative
 

for those slain
and those who will be
you are my quest


my warning
 

in your death
is truth
 

and eventually
in mine, too
 

ride my back
to the depths
 

wave your comrades forth


folly and fortitude
look the same to your kind
 

Davey Jones
lies
at the bottom of the sea


waiting
 

your legend


      drowned
 



 

Recognized

Author Notes
This is a response to the book, "Moby Dick". It is the whale himself, personified, speaking to Captain Ahab.

Poetry that references and responds to another poem (expounding upon it, modernizing it, refuting it, contemplating it, etc. Original poem (or significant section) must be supplied in the author's notes. This is Leinico's wonderful idea. I'd like to expand it just a little to include responding to any written or spoken piece. This would include poetry as mentioned, but also famous speeches, essays, books, even documents like the Constitution or the Bill of Rights etc. I suggest the focus remain on poetry as set forth in the original idea, but I don't want to squelch any great ideas or inspirations that stem from this. :)) Remember, free verse has no set structure or rhyming pattern or fixed meter. You design your piece in YOUR structure as you see fit. This is entirely YOUR creation.

     

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