A Man of Substance

[MHenry]

A Man of Substance

The hissing call of the ocean, the tides most mighty pull
A weaker man would yield his hide, and so the greater fool

But I’m a man of substance, and the sea foam siren’s pleas
Means not a whit to a man like me who’s sailed the seven seas

The cry of the gull as it soars o’erhead, the captain of the waves
Is for the wretched, aimless vagabonds, and the misbegotten knaves

But I’m a man of substance, and the sea foam siren’s pleas
Means not a whit to a man like me who’s sailed the seven seas

The smell of salt in the clipper’s wake, and the lashing seaward gales
Can cure the hopeless dreamers’ aches, as they take to the masts and sails

But I’m a man of substance, and the sea foam siren’s pleas
Means not a whit to a man like me who’s sailed the seven seas

The emerald isles with brown-skinned girls and exotic fruits galore
Would tempt the wandering gypsies and the young men from the shore

But I’m a man of substance, and the sea foam siren’s pleas
Means not a whit to a man like me who’s sailed the seven seas

The treasures buried in the deep, trapped in seaweed-shrouded hulls
Let the drifters and the bummers keep, bless their moss-encrusted skulls

But I’m a man of substance, and the sea foam siren’s pleas
Means not a whit to a man like me who’s sailed the seven seas

A ship that’s bound for foreign shores has an open call for mates
So dim the lights and lock the doors, and cast me to the seven fates!

For I’m a man of substance, and the sea foam siren’s pleas
Means all the world to a man like me who’s sailed the seven seas

[grant hayes]

Wow! This is like some sea shanty of old, MHenry. The diction and rhythm are top notch; the imagery is evocatively, persuasively maritime; the rhyme sings and is not forced. It is simply begging for a tune. Take a bow for the wow, you old sea dog! ☺

[MHenry]

Thank you, grant. A 'wow' from you is a great way to start a day!

[AlexandratheLate]

I read this again MH and thought it was wonderful the first time I read it but I just had to read it again. Truly wonderful piece of work!!

[MHenry]

Thank you, AG, for coming back for another read. I very much appreciate your repeat visit! I am so glad you enjoyed this one!

[AlexandratheLate]

Beautiful tale, beautiful rhyme and flow. Outstanding MH!!

[MHenry]

Thank you, AG. I had fun writing this one!

[Bobby Del Boy]

MH AGAIN! Submit this to Gordon Lightfoot for him to sing. When I read your work your past lives come to mind. On that note, who do you think you were?

[MHenry]

Yes, BDB, I can see Gordon singing this one, too!
In my past life, I hope I was a poet!

[MHenry]

Thank you, all, for enjoying this one and finding merit. My work is hit and miss in any event, but particularly so while I explore my strengths and limitations, hoping to write something of worth.

grant and Samuel, you have poet's minds, eyes and ears seeing beyond what is on the page - a remarkable talent of which I am terribly envious, and a store of knowledge of poetry and things in general you bring to bear in your analyses.

Yesterday, I received a used copy of Magic Casements (1926, MacMillan, Carhart and McGHee) I ordered through Amazon. My dad had a copy in the house when I was a boy, and he loved to recite the Rime of the Ancient Mariner from that collection of poems. My older sister has my Dad's copy, so I bought my own. It reminds me of my Dad, how much he loved poetry, and how I wish he were here to see I have finally embraced it, too, both as reader, and as aspiring poet.

Of the first dozen or so poems in the collection, there is a rash of old seafarer poems, most of them by John Masefield, but also Bliss Carman, Richard Hovey, and one by Robert Louis Stevenson. I read them around midnight last night, in bed, thinking that would be it for the night. But I was so taken with these old seafarer poems, even though I have already written a few sea-themed poems for the Zone, I had to come back out to the computer and try my hand at one in the old style.

The Man of Substance is the result.

[MHenry]

Thanks, grant, A couple of your comments over the course of the past few months have convinced me that you must be looking over my shoulder and reading my mind as I compose. It's a little uncanny, actually! I am checking the remote access to my web cam as we speak!

Yes, I do need to read some poetry!

You have a been an unselfish and encouraging mentor to me and others on the Zone, grant. Thank you, sensei!

[imrogue]

I am glad you got up and wrote this piece! Love love it! ❤️ I am sure wherever your dad is right now, he is very proud of you!

[MHenry]

Thank you, imrogue, I certainly gave my dad enough things not to be proud about in my younger days, so if this evens up the score a little, that would be good! I appreciate your positive reinforcement!

[lunar glide]

I haven't been reading your work for long but between little red riding hood and this one you have written two worthy works in just a couple of days! imo

[MHenry]

Thank you, lunar glide, as a fine poet yourself, your kind words are great comfort!

[Parkinsonspoet]

I agree with what everyone else has said from Grants wow to Lunars mention of the consistncy. I write a lot of poems but dont achieve the consistency. ou are one of the inspirations here that show others what is possible

[MHenry]

Hi, Pp, Thank you for the read and for your support. For the most part (but not always), I know when my work does not measure up, but I never know for sure when a work does measure up, even if I secretly think it might!

[Parkinsonspoet]

I undestand there are exactly the same uncertainties in me.Your range , colour of the language combined with a storytelling flair is a hell of a combination. What impresses me most is your use of it in the encouragement of others

[Tanner]

MHenry, I am truly gobsmacked by this poem! Down and out for the proverbial boxing count. To say it is brilliant is an understatement of fact. I think it's the best poem I've seen from you. I know you write a lot of humorous and off-colour poems; but this stands alone. You have found a true voice here. I agree with everyone's comments. You make me very very thirsty! I want more of your fine brew as I sit on my tavern stool. It will be an elixir worth waiting for.

[Tanner]

MH, I forgot to add that, "But I'm a man of substance" is a monument, a skyscraper of magnificence!!!!!!!!

[MHenry]

Thank you, Tanner, for the humbling praise of this piece.

Whatever its merit, it comes from a place of love, nostalgia, and wonderment. I suppose my job was simply not to ruin it too badly with words.

[Tanner]

BTW, I think you should look at a poem I put on line today, it was for some guy that looks a lot like you.

[The second]

MR>HENRY I have to really contemplate this. A reckless beauty. Undeniable strength. Really i have to get back to you on this. I have been devoured and drown

[MHenry]

Thank you for looking The second. I hope you will have time to come back and comment.

[DWAYNE]

A plethora of lexical treasures, and powerful images.

A work as mighty as the sea!

[MHenry]

Thank you, Dwayne! I appreciate your support!

[lunar glide]

i keep coming back to this one. its my favorite.

[MHenry]

Thank you, lunar glide. A repeat visit and comment is a high compliment for which I am very grateful!

[John Wertz]

Hi MHenry, The Man of Substance, the sea captain himself, as you paint him, and the excellent title are Joseph Conrad like. You are a natural rhymer.

[MHenry]

Thank you, John, for your support. I appreciate the reference to Joseph Conrad. I must take a look at his work!

[John Wertz]

To my mind there is more poetry in Conrad's prose than in may poem writers these days. The Mirror of the Sea is a long poetic piece. The Man of
Substance just sounds like a tongue in cheek title he would give a short story The Secret Agent for instance.

[grant hayes]

^ I agree about the poesy in Conrad's prose, John. Good observation.

[Suz-zen]

MHenry your range continues to astonish me! i have been wrapped up in stuff for weeks and come back to find your work as marvelous as ever!! I have missed it!

The hissing call of the ocean, the tides most mighty pull

WITH THE FIRST LINE I WAS HOOKED!!!

[MHenry]

There you are! I've missed you, Suz-Zen! It's good to have you back! Thanks for reading A Man of Substance and your uplifting comment!

[Suz-zen]

thanks for noticing MHenry! Lots of time spent taking care of my mother these past weeks. Family Leave from work.... I have written only one poem with many brewing!
Just hopped on here this morning!