Comment from RJ Fuller

Exceptional

I love everything about this. The poem reads like a sea shanty, reminiscent of Coleridge. Yet pays respectful tribute to the people aboard the Adrea Gail who did not make it home that fateful night. Beautifully done!

 Comment Written 10-Mar-2024

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reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024

Thanks, RJ. Have you read the book or seen the movie?

reply by RJ Fuller on 11-Mar-2024

I haven't read the book, but I did see the movie (It's such a great film!). I'd hoped to make it to Gloucester to see the memorial when I visited New England, but time didn't permit.

Comment from BermyBye50

Exceptional

Paul,

Congrats on your win in the Share A Story In A Poem contest. Your brilliantly written poem captures the imagery of the events of the tragedy of the The Andrea Gail masterfully. The rhyming is excellent and flows smoothly and you recount the details of the true story about a fishing tragedy well written poetic creative verse.

All the best,

Eugene

 Comment Written 09-Mar-2024

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reply by the author on 10-Mar-2024

Thanks, Eugene. This hit close to home. I worked in the commercial fishing industry for over forty years.

Comment from mortman

Exceptional

I loved this. Those opening four lines are just fantastic - it captures the reader's attention so well. Many people probably already know about the perfect storm thanks to Clooney et al, but this was so cleverly done. Really well done and a very deserved win.

 Comment Written 03-Mar-2024

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reply by the author on 03-Mar-2024

Thanks, Mort. I worked in the commercial fishing industry for over forty years, so this hit close to home.

Comment from Contests

A contest winning entry! A seven star rating from the Contest Committee for posting the winning contest entry.

 Comment Written 03-Mar-2024

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reply by the author on 03-Mar-2024

Thanks. I worked in the commercial fishing industry for over forty years, so this event struck close to home.

Comment from Sally Law

Excellent

Paul,
So sorry not to have a six for this amazing poem. I saw the movie when I still had eyesight and remembered that it was based on a true story. Marvelous offering in rhyming verse. Sending you my best today as always and my very best wishes in the upcoming contest.
Sal :))

 Comment Written 27-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 27-Feb-2024

Thanks, Sally. There is also a book that is excellent. There is probably an audio book available. The Perfect Storm is the title.

Comment from Mary Vigasin

Exceptional

As powerful read of the sea and the Andrea Gail.
It is so vivid and real, it reminds me of my grandmother's story of her nephews being lost as sea on their fishing trawler. It was only when I grew up, did I realize the impact the loss had on her family. It haunted them for years.
Mary

 Comment Written 27-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 27-Feb-2024

Thanks, Mary. I worked for over forty years in the commercial fishing industry, and we experienced loss of life on the high seas.

Comment from Ben Colder

Exceptional

You did well with this yarn. I love old sea stories. Those who have the talent to spin such I admire. As a boy I could see myself as like my great uncle who was the captain of a cruise ship. Well done poet.Best in the contest.

 Comment Written 27-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 27-Feb-2024

Thanks, Ben. I worked in the commercial fishing business for over forty years. I handled shoreside problems. I get very seasick.

Comment from kahpot

Excellent

What an excellent read, as soon as I read the name of the fishing vessel, I knew I had seen the film, your words here really bring out the grief that families and friends must have felt and still feel, I thoroughly enjoyed this very well written work****kahpot

 Comment Written 27-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 27-Feb-2024

Thanks, kahpot. There is also a book that is excellent.

Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill

Excellent

This was well-written and long for a poem. You had me hooked even though I had read the article and seen the movie. You do non fiction well. I wish you luck in the contest. Karen

 Comment Written 26-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 27-Feb-2024

Thanks, Karen. If you enjoy poems like this, check out "The Sinking of the Arctic Rose" in my portfolio.

reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 28-Feb-2024

:-)

Comment from Julie Helms

Exceptional

Fantastic! That's a story I was always fascinated with after watching the movie. You do such a good job combining the storytelling in a poetic form. It reminds me of Gordon Lightfoot and the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Really good job. You kept me gripped to the end. Thanks! Julie.

 Comment Written 26-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 26-Feb-2024

Thanks, Julie. Before I retired, I was involved with a number of commercial fishing boats.