The Wooden Vessel
A Poem on Purpose
This is for the VIM Wooden Challenge.
We are the captains of our own ships. - Michelle Liew
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Once, I ferried their dreams-
cargo and pride weighed heavy on my hull.
Tides rose, yet I sailed,
A servant of their whims,
A vassal of their compass.
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Then came my storm, my turn,
My open sails embracing thunder.
My stern shattered,
I caved with its weight,
And silence was mine.
******************************************************************
Now, I nurture coral,
My broken ribs give new life.
The sea echoes my refrain,
My cause, my repose,
Not their beckoning fingers.
About the Creator
Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin
Hi, i am an English Language teacher cum freelance writer with a taste for pets, prose and poetry. When I'm not writing my heart out, I'm playing with my three dogs, Zorra, Cloudy and Snowball.
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More stories from Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin and writers in Poets and other communities.
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By Angie the Archivist 📚🪶5 days ago in Petlife
Comments (13)
Well-wrought! The ship, at least, gets to rest in peace! Perhaps the wood, returning to the sea, finds its oldest primordial home.
I like the unexpected phrase 'vassal of their compass'. it's descriptive and original
Wonderful!! Repose now, for the sea creatures.
I read this as being either a boat, or the head of a family
Fantastic
Great flow, Michelle. Love your word choices. <3
So beautifully written!
Awww, this is a lovely tribute to a ship who's wood tells stories.
oh this is beautiful and sad! it is interesting, Ive been watching the anime One Piece and the importance of pirates and other seadwellers to ships is explored beautifully as the crews treat as another member!
I so feel it for the ships/boats...over the years the have seen tragedy and love and so much human emotions. may their rest among the coral be peaceful/ Lovely insight for wooden.
Great imagery and flow here Michelle. I really like this. BTW, I gave you a shout out in my story A Thanks To You All: https://shopping-feedback.today/writers/a-thanks-to-you-all#comment-fb69cb82-284a-4847-8fea-dcd4fc07c015%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
This was so sad yet powerful. Loved it+
Ah, the life of a ship! From carrying dreams to riding storms and finally becoming a cozy coral nursery—what a glow-up! ✨💕