dVerse Poetics — Gotham: The First Domino

Savannah
Gotham:  The First Domino

Ship cast asea, its belly full
Coal gone, no more steam
Itched and brittle with scurvy
Noxious fog, lost instruments
Sails hoisted, yet no wind
Mates and passengers alike
On our knees, we cough and pray,
Facing mid-Atlantic gruesome end,
To end albatross, millstone 'round
Our sickly necks; orange, stenched
Corpse, raucous croak of certain death,
It rots above us in the crow's nest.

Then comes distant thunder rumbles; 
Far Gotham of East (West.) Its temple 
Raised with many hands, Hope in its 
Domino-shaped stele; its lightning 
Alchemizes foul fog to fair clouds,
Forms water spouts carrying fish,
Fruit, and fresh water to famished.
Screeching zombie gull lifted up,
Away, downward, beneath waves,
Silent now. A-move with gales & cheers,
Our bellies and hearts full, resolute:
Land, embark, build more dominos.

I am today’s host for dVerse’ Tuesday Poetics. The prompt is to write a poem using weather.

28 Comments Add yours

  1. There is nothing worse at sea than no wind… love the way they were saved by that storm… (talk about being dependent on weather)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Indeed, out of coal and out of wind is a bad situation at sea. I’m glad prayers were answered.

      Like

  2. Aptivi's avatar Aptivi says:

    A wonderful piece. Also, I really enjoyed watching the video; I like how the dominoes fell from the start to the end 👍

    Thank you so much for sharing this awesomeness, Lisa! That made me smile ☺️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Aptivi, thank you very much and glad you enjoyed it :)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Aptivi's avatar Aptivi says:

        You’re most welcome, Lisa ☺️

        I hope you’re having a wonderful day today.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Love this. Very nautical. I’m posting something on a similar topic tomorrow

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Thanks, Steve! Will be looking for yours tomorrow.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. My mistake. Not tomorrow. The next day

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Maggie's avatar Maggie says:

    A lovely poem Lisa ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Maggie, thank you very much.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Such a beautiful poem, Li. Love the video❣️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Cindy, thanks very much. I love that video also!

      Like

  6. Gillena Cox's avatar Gillena Cox says:

    Nice one, Lisa

    much love

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Thanks, Gillena <3

      Like

  7. Being caught in the doldrums, to be saved by a storm. What a frightening idea, sailing across mountainous seas. I truly admire the grit and bravery of sailors. Stunning poetry. so vivid.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Freya, thank you for reading and your thoughtful comment.

      Like

  8. Carol anne's avatar Carol anne says:

    a fntastic write Li 🦋🦋🤗🤗🎈🎈🤗🤗🦋🦋

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Thank you very much, CA <3

      Like

  9. rothpoetry's avatar rothpoetry says:

    An interesting poem, Lisa. I believe I detect a nod to the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner. The dominos are amzing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Thanks very much, Dwight. I love the dominos also. Seems like it would have taken her longer to set them up. I sure it trains one to be focused.

      Like

  10. Paula Light's avatar Paula Light says:

    Wow, intense! Love the old-timey language…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Paula, many thanks glad you liked it :)

      Like

  11. Truedessa's avatar Truedessa says:

    I always enjoy a good poem about the sea and this was epic.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Truedessa, I’m happy it pleased you, thank you <3

      Like

  12. poetisatinta's avatar poetisatinta says:

    An inventive piece Lisa merging gothic sea horror with surrealist myth-making – fabulous- I love the nod to the Ancient Mariner 🙌

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Ange, thanks so much for reading and your feedback.

      Like

  13. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:

    Lovely poem Li. And loved the dominos display.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Thanks, Sadje. So did I :)

      Like

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