Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HAWAII BOUND: 1. TRUTH, by OLIVER MURRAY EDWARDS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HAWAII BOUND: 1. TRUTH, by                    
First Line: All ashore that's going!'
Last Line: Amid an earthquake shock.
Subject(s): Disasters; Earthquakes; Hawaii; Sailing & Sailors; Ships & Shipping; Travel; Seamen; Sails; Journeys; Trips


"All ashore that's going!"
The cry rang through the ship.
"All ashore that's going!"
We backed out from the slip.
Confetti ribbons holding
Were quickly rent in twain,
We sailed out on the ocean,
Defying waves again.

The Golden Gate was open,
The rest I hate to tell—
For when we passed its portals
We found ourselves in Hell.
The ship, with groans and creakings,
Went rolling on her way,
The furniture went sliding
Across the floor at play.

The dining room was empty,
The dishes on the floor,
Hawaiian music wailing
Amid the ocean's roar.
All cabin bells were ringing
Their signals of distress,
The stewards were in hiding,
Just where, no one could guess.

Why did we leave the comforts
Of home upon the shore?
Why do we seek for trouble,
And find it evermore?
There is one consolation,
'Tis safer here to rock
Than upon terra firma
Amid an earthquake shock.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net