Why, yes, sir, she is like a big fiddle-case,
An’ her funnel’s ridickelous tall,
An’ the state o’ her riggin’s a blushin’ disgrace,
An’ her hull’s like an old tartan shawl;
An’ rumpity-thump goes her cranky old screw
A-shovin’ her on through the sea—
But in spite o’ her failin’s so strikin’ to you
She sorter appeals to me.
She’s the clumsiest, shabbiest craft, I’ll allow,
An’ she’s traded wi’ more ‘n one name;
‘Tis Norwegian the flag as she’s flyin’ just now,
An’ she didn’t bring other flags fame.
She’s not just as old as she looks, sir— they say
She was built in the year ‘eighty-three;
But her luck has been shockin’ in every way—
Which sorter appeals to me.
She’s been in a dozen collisions, or so,
An’ always come out of ’em wust.
The times she’s broke down— well, I’m blowed if I know—
But she oncet had a biler as bust;
An’ twice she’s gone crazy when enterin’ docks
An’ stove in her bows on the quay ;
An’ thrice she’s been stranded-ay, been on the rocks—
Which sorter appeals to me.
But she’s not condemned yet, sir ! An’ some-times I fears
I’m wuss off than yon shabby old boat;
For there’s always some friend, so to speak, as appears
Just in time for to keep her afloat. . . .
When ye’ve got on the rocks, sir— Why, yes, sir, ’tis damp
An’— Thank ye ! Don’t mind if I do. . . .
There’s one close at hand, sir. … I thought the old tramp
Might sorter appeal to you.
(John Joy Bell)
More Poetry from John Joy Bell:
John Joy Bell Poems based on Topics: Fame, Friendship, Time, Name, Speaking- A Little Boys Ideas (John Joy Bell Poems)
- Souls Of The Ships (John Joy Bell Poems)
- A Mariner (John Joy Bell Poems)
- Song Of A Ship (John Joy Bell Poems)
- Fog Song Of The Cloch (John Joy Bell Poems)
- Song Of A Lighter (John Joy Bell Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Time Poems, Friendship Poems, Name Poems, Speaking Poems, Fame PoemsBased on Keywords: wuss, norwegian, blushin, cranky, failin, eighty-three, oncet, riggin, strikin, wust, shockin