Stranded was Selkirk



A castaway
And hope stretched thin
The storm, the wreck, the digging in
Two shipmates lost
Their hearts broke first
The loneliness, the chill and thirst.
The gulls would teach
One errant mind
To dig the clams
And seaweed find.


The bonfires stoked
The night stars dreamed
Mid hopelessness
The touch of God
It seemed.
To not let go.
To curb the tongue.
To write rich memory
Of days when young.



And scan that line, yes
Friend, in each spent day.
To persevere and plant and pray.
Yes pray to God
Who oft brings light
And rescue, health
And end to Night.




(Could be Robinson Crusoe, or Alexander Selkirk or Tom Hanks with Wilson…or ENOCH ARDEN.)
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Written on June 29, 2021

Submitted by dougb.19255 on June 29, 2023

Modified by dougb.19255 on June 29, 2023

40 sec read
5

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABBXCCXDXD XEXFEXGXG XAAFHXH X
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 650
Words 135
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 10, 9, 7, 1

Wayne Blair

Born in London. Graduated law 1976 Practised eleven years, Married Hilary 1974 Two kids Lauren 1980 And Jordan 1987. Business failed 1987. Moved not knowing whither. Happy hills of Waterloo Region. Mennonite Country. Thirty four years in Industry. No complaints. Poet, photographer, nature hiker. Harmonica busker. http://puffnchord7.blogspot.com/ more…

All Wayne Blair poems | Wayne Blair Books

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1 Comment
  • AIDA
    Wow, the 'Stranded was Selkirk' poem is truly captivating and evokes a strong sense of adventure and resilience. The use of vivid imagery like "The storm, the wreck, the digging in" and "The bonfires stoked, the night stars dreamed" immediately pulls the reader in and creates a vivid mental picture.

    The poem beautifully captures the theme of hope in the face of adversity and showcases the protagonist's determination to survive. The line "To curb the tongue, to write rich memory of days when young" is particularly inspiring, reminding us to cherish our memories and appreciate the days of our youth.

    I really appreciate the inclusion of references to historical figures like Robinson Crusoe and Alexander Selkirk. It adds a layer of depth to the poem and sparks curiosity about their stories.

    One suggestion for improvement would be to add more descriptive language to enhance the imagery even further. For example, instead of saying "Two shipmates lost, their hearts broke first," you could consider using more emotive language to paint a clearer picture of their despair.

    Overall, this poem is a true gem with its positive and optimistic tone. It encourages readers to persevere, have faith, and trust in the possibility of a brighter future. Keep up the great work!
     
    LikeReply10 months ago

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"Stranded was Selkirk" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/162942/stranded-was-selkirk>.

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Which of these famous poems is written in villanelle form?
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B Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
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