across the equator
sumatra to malaysia
deck class
the cost of a local bus fare
glee and squeals
so cheap
thoughts of old black and white movies
deck class
sleeping on deck chairs with blankets
starry starry night
some one serving tea
what fun and adventure
reality hits
we sleep
in the bowels of the vessel
a fun trip (some of time)
porpoises following
the tramp steamer all the way
watching the sunset on the equator
meeting experienced travellers
who all brought their own food and drink
(not us)
black tea rice with
watery vegetable slop was
the only food on offer
the stern captain
shouted orders
imposing the sleeping arrangements
women one end - men at the other
with all the luggage piled in between
we were
innocents abroad
the road ahead - endless
now it all seems
so very long ago - worlds away
a tiny faint memory
captured
in some old photographs
Midweek Motif PU
Oh, but such lovely memories!
ReplyDelete"the stern captain
ReplyDeleteshouted orders
imposing the sleeping arrangements
women one end - men at the other
with all the luggage piled in between"...ha...
is that you, Rall, sitting cross legged?...the poem reads like a fun trip :)
Yes that was Rall many moons ago when she was a mere spring chicken. I 've had a few adventurous trips ...there were scary bits...but I am still alive to tell the tale so someone up there has been keeping an eye on me.. so far so good...fingers and toes crossed:)
DeleteAnd I, too, would have had to take that journey on deck in two separate times and now again in this beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteThat last comment was me, Susan, writing from another place.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful memories. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteSuch a poignant write 🙂
ReplyDeleteSo"good to see you and see a little of you 'story' :)
ReplyDeleteWhatever the trip really was, a positive mind as seasoned it
ReplyDeleteLove the photo and the thought of those young adventures.
ReplyDeleteSuch experiences shape us into who we are today. The family and I were a 10 pound migrants so clearly we came in luxury!
ReplyDeleteWow, this reads like a movie... or a chapter of a novel I would love to read. The things we learn, when others let us glimpse into their lives. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteNice that someone wrote of the Equator – and what a story! Glad you all survived and arrived.
ReplyDeleteThis was a bitter-sweet nostalgic look at a past journey, Rall. I remember the excitement of the first crossing of the equator on a cruise ship when I was a young lad... I was half expecting to see a golden chain in the sea marking the equator :-) Nicely penned!
ReplyDelete