Over the Sea: A poem in alliterative verse by Tony Clarke

Over the Sea

Tony Clarke

Originally published in Withowinde 156, p. 9, Winter, 2010

Cold uncaring sea-wind ‧ cuts intohardened hands ‧ that grip the helm.Ahead the willful waves ‧ grey tumbling walls;astern, fast fading ‧ their farms with housesfrom tall trees made ‧ topped with golden reed,carved cross-beams ‧ that caught the merry lightof friendly flames ‧ in family hearth
where laughter lifted ‧ their loving hearts.

First came creeping ‧ the crafty sea,a ghastly guest ‧ that would not go,but stayed and spread ‧ its salt upon the land,then arose embittered ‧ Goths from the east.Angry ashmen ‧ from mighty Atla fled.The moot-men in haste ‧ had metand swiftly sought ‧ to stay that foe,but ever endless grew ‧ the emmet floodthat burnt and bit ‧ and left just bone.

With heavy heart ‧ they leave their homes,load kin and cows ‧ aboard the craft --baskets of bread ‧ hastily baked,and wine and water ‧ and undyed wool,till unsmiling sailors ‧ bid them stop.

Now straining sail ‧ sends them along.Land is lost to sight;  life itself seems gone.A moon-pale man ‧ begins to moan;groans to his gods ‧ to grant him death.

See to your spear,  scolds his thegn,gives welcome water ‧ to a thirsty wife."I have been before ‧ where we are bound.There waxes wheat ‧ both white and tall.Hay grows high ‧ in half the days;goose and gosling ‧ greatly thrive."

Then look-out loud ‧ hails the foamy line,the swelling sand ‧ that softly drawslike bosom broad ‧ that boat to rest.The gods have given ‧ them this giftof life and land ‧ new Engla land.

Painting by Félix-Joseph Barrias

Forgotten Ground Regained

Over the Sea