My masts are engulfed in
flames that do not burn.
Scavenging pirates scatter,
empty-handed, with no booty they yearn.
St. Elmo, be with me,
a refugee from a hostile land –
a sailor of the sea.
Let the shadows cast their darkest deeds.
This torch blazing within is the weapon I need.
Guide me through waters unstable and stormy.
Find harbor for all in welcoming lands of sanctuary.
*St. Elmo is the patron saint of sailors.
**St. Elmo’s fire is a weather phenomenon of blue or purple plasma that has the appearance of fire. It’s considered to be a good omen.
This poem was inspired by a conversation I had with FlyTrapMan.
Click HERE to visit Matt’s blog!
Poet Rummager 
An excellent poem Rose, like an old sea shanty. However my mariners Albatross didn’t carry the sound over the oceans to me.
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Thank you, darling Ivor! I’m sorry the audio didn’t carry over to you. 😦 I send you flying kisses which I hope will reach your gentle soul. xoxo
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♡♡~~~~~
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We are all in unstable waters these days…a good chant to give us heart. (K)
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Sadly, you are right, K! Let’s always try to keep an open heart. ❤
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There’s a lot of power here. Love it.
Your art is so beautiful and creative
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I’m ecstatic to receive your generous words! Thank you so much.
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Wonderful, Rose!
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Many thanks, Jennie. 😊
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You’re welcome! 🙂
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Beautiful, Rose!
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Nice to see you, Angela! Thank you.
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A very powerful expression to the travails which plague us today .Perhaps an invincible burden genuine or exaggerated which we chose to bear .The visual is very impressive .
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Hi Veena! Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. It was a fun piece to work on; both poetry and art.
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I love the idea that it can mean so much and so many Rose…and i also love that its making my poetic head spin…lol…beautiful and powerful as always..
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I hope you won’t feel dizzy from your head spinning, Mich! I’ll be sure to get you a comfortable chair to sit upon if you do. Thank you!
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“The torch blazing within is the weapon I need”. I really dig this line 😊
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I loved hearing that! Music 🎶🎵 to my ears👂👂. Thanks!
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I really like the harmony of the illustration and the poem. They fulfill each other. Great post.
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I’m smiling from your generous comment, Aak! Thanks so much for stopping by. 🌹
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Badass.
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You have no idea. 😆
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Reblogged this on Ancien Hippie.
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Hi Penney! Thanks for the reblog.
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Thank you for writing great blogs
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Nicely done. The sea has always whispered to me.
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The sea whispers, because it doesn’t want the mermaids to hear how flirty and frothy it can be. 😃 Thank you!
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And they are lol
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An elemental bounty of words coming together to create another beautiful poem. I like the imagery in the poem, and of course your own artwork sets the whole thing off perfectly.
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Ah, Stephen, you rock my world! Thank you very much.
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Too cool! Mermaid-approved! 🙂
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I’d have to do a do over if Magick Mermaid didn’t approve! Thanks, my friend. 😊
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quality production…with a super illustration…and yes, Mr Fly is full of amazing ideas and although he is a bit quieter, he always amuses me and has inspired me to look up to the skies more and more.
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Thank you, Paula! Yes, so much talent under his wings. The sky is full of inspiration. 💫
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I Love this poem Rose.
You are indeed a gifted writer. Bravo.
And I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.
I just love your accent. 💞💞💕
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Oh, I’m swooning, darkling Alan! I hope you and your grandson have a splendid holiday! This is his first Christmas, isn’t it? 💝🎄💝
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Thank you Rose.
Yes, it’s Caeden’s first Christmas.
He’s now seven months old.
Santa’s going to bring him lots and lots of presents. 🎄🎁🎄
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Cute! Have a lovely time, my friend.
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I love this poem and the art is gorgeous!!
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A million thanks for your kindness and visit!💋
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This my lady is exceptional writing. You had me when you mentioned St.Elmo’s fire… beautiful. They say that he stole the flame from the Underworld while Beazulba was out courting Persephonie. Who can say… The Illustration has me wondering in a good way as the many sides to it. Just like us all
As I sit here and ponder… jc
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Hmm. I had no idea about that particular story! 😉 You spoil me with your sublime words, darling JC.
Please scoot over, and let me sit and ponder with you over tea. ☕️💝☕️
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It’s a good thing to be spoiled especially with words. So I’ll go and put on the kettle, it’s pondering time.
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I think how terrifying it must have been for sailors of long ago–not knowing sometimes where they were going and witnessing sights they didn’t understand.
There are many in need of safe harbors and sanctuary now.
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Exactly, Merril. Thank you!
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I love it – unique
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Thank you for visiting!
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My pleasure
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Oh rose how I was thinking about you
How have you been
So good of you to visit
How all.is well
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Thanks for visiting, Shel! It’s always a joy to see you. I’ll be knocking at your door soon. 🌹
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The poem sounds beautiful, Rose. Deep like the sea in its depiction of angst, futility, prayers and hopes of the sailor, it has a universality which may extend beyond the given context. 👏👏👏
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Beautifully worded, Somali. Yes, the unfortunate refugees; including children, are displaced and poorly treated. There must be a way all countries can come together and find solutions for housing refugees whose lives are at stake if they stay home or find the will to leave. Thank you! 💋
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Where else could your storm-tossed ship find sanctuary but inside a welcoming heart? Beautiful words and image, Rose.
kat
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Thanks Kat! Your visits are always welcomed. 🌹
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My pleasure, Rose. 😊
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And excellent poem with a double meaning, it could be literally for all people travelling on the seven seas, but also for any man or woman, navigate life. The illustration is great, too.
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I appreciate you reading my poetry, Otto. Thank you for taking the time to leave me your kind words. 💜
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Nice story, I have never heard of St Elmo’s Fire before
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Thanks Josh! 😍
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❤
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Another excellent poem Rummager. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Fears! 😘
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St. Elmo’s Fire was usually observed toward the end of a thunderstorm, and that’s probably why sailors believed St. Elmo’s Fire was a positive omen. Your title card is hotter than plasma! The recording was sharp and clear, too.
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Oh, that makes sense! You’re such a brainiac. 👨🏻🎓 I had a lot of fun drawing my title card. Thanks for inspiring me, Matt. 💋
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Love the poem, love your reading, love your drawing! You are one marvellous artist, Rose! Your voice lures me in like a siren’s 😉😍 xoxo
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Thank you tigress, Sarah, for gracing me with your visit. I blush from your sweet words, my lovely friend. 😘💋❣️
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when you find them,
please send out coordinates
of that safe harbor, dear Rose!
seems many are sending
out SOS’s 🙂
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Yes! You’re a most wise and kindly lion, David. I loved your words and know there are many who need rescuing. ❤️
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excellent, excellent, excellent, Poet R 🙂
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Thank you very much! I appreciate your words and visit. 😊
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Beautifully penned, Rose. It depicts the tension, trauma, hope and yearnings of a sailor, but at the same time, it has a general humane appeal. The sea can be seen as an analogy for life… 🙂
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Thanks so much, Mani! I’m happy you read my poetry with the wisdom I’ve always admired from you, my brilliant friend. 💫🌹
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Very nice!
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I loved this piece, and I was fascinated by your replies to the comments. You took the time to be creative with each reply and I commend you for that. 😊 As a side note, thank you so much for publishing my poem in SMM 😊💛
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Hello dear Walt! I am just getting to know you, and I’m already enamored by your writing talents. I also enjoy what a gentleman you are. It was a joy to post your poem on SMM! As Fly has mentioned, please never hesitate to send another dark gem again. 💋
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Thank you for your kind words 🙂 I will work on something new 🙂
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Beautiful.
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So good to hear you reading this poem. I love this flame, from without and within. It’s contagious.
Ellington
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Ah, beautifully expressed! This flame you talk about just lit me up. Thank you!🔥
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Just dropping by again to say merry christmas and a blessed new year Rose from the Philippines…
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Hello darling Mich — Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, too! Thank you.
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Beautiful like St Elmo’s fire, but the octopus tentacle in the picture speaks danger. It can manipulate the ship without anyone knowing.
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Ah, your sharp eyes don’t miss a thing, my sweetest friend! Watch for tentacles and gigantic Ferris wheels 😉
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Wonderful
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Thanks so much for visiting.
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Welcome
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Such a great post!
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Thanks for reading and commenting!
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I miss you rose
Hope all is well
As Sheldon Always
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I stopped by, but you weren’t home. I’ll be back soon, darling Shel. ❤️
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I’ve been bidding
From the sun
Only come out
Looking,looking
For my next victims
BLOOD
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Dam spell check
Doesn’t even work
Right
The word is hiding
Not bidding
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I’ve shared the poem (with a link to this page) on a Facebook group called Sailpunk Anachronists of the Wind and Sea. They will LOVE it!
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Wow! Thanks so much, Katherine. 😀
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How goes it Rose
I thought the church locked its door
And my poison would be left in a bottle to live on the shelf
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Hi Shel. Your poison is the stuff that grows hair on chest. No way is it gonna sit on a shelf and go to waste! We’ll share the bottle together, love.
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So now tell me you’ve changed somethin are you babi
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That ain’t me, babe. I have no idea who Babi is.
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I found this person it happens to me all the time they go everywhere I’ve been and hit the like button on what I say
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They do that to everyone. It gets them attention.
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That’s beautiful thing to wish for all, in the last line.
Amazing illustration.
😃
Shiva
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Thanks so much! 💐
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first and foremost…
I will address the pink elephant in the sky…
or room or whatever…
Your voice is so sweet…
I felt like I was on the front of the Titanic…
with my arms out…
before the ship capsized and everyone essentially drowned and died…
and not because they heard Celine Dions music…
the art is kool but the voice is the best painting👌👌👌👌👌
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Ha! The Titanic, indeed.
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Lol yes… Sadly the titanic was on my mind.
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