A Homage to Kipling.


The Long Call

Outbound from Orkney

Away from the land and now out at sea,
where the long call of the Herring Gull
reminds me of her abiding call to me.
Calling me now with her love and desire,
calling me from the ice back to our fire;
yet she knew I would always forsake her,
so that I could follow the widow maker.

What am I now, that you leave me?
Watching your oars pull out to sea.
Away now from your kith and home;
free to go wherever you may roam.

That cold drear bitch shall be leading me on,
enticing me with her seducing song.
Leading me to where gold and death might lie;
over the horizon and past the sky.
Now’s she’s my fate and I must embrace her;
she is my thrall – the grey widow maker.

Leaving behind the hearth we shared.
The sod fire and the hot pelt nights;
When each to each was all we desired.
Leaving me now with the kids you sired.

I always breath freer when I’m out at sea,
knowing there can be no land close to me.

Wrapped in my cloak, can you hear my repine?
In the long call – ‘I am here, and you are mine’


© D G Moody 2023

(Image courtesy of Mark Millmore)






Poetry by D G Moody
Read 104 times
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Written on 2023-10-29 at 17:31

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Editorial Team The PoetBay support member heart!
Congratulations! Your poem has been chosen to be featured on our home page by a fellow member of PoetBay. Thank you for posting on our poetry website!
2023-11-13


shells
I'm with Sameen on this one. Kipling is smiling. Love the line "I always breathe freer when out at sea." I just have to see the sea and I'm happy.
2023-10-29


Griffonner The PoetBay support member heart!
The rhyming and the flow is just great. I think Kipling would feel honoured.
Blessings and love, Allen
2023-10-29


Sameen
Very sea shanty-esque.

I especially loved the sing-songy rhythm of the third verse.
2023-10-29