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The Tranquil Sea

When dormant skies command the winds to blow
amidst the tides where sailing vessels dwell,
the tranquil sea will soon become a foe.

Within the bluster, flailing in its throe,
the wanton keels reel wildly in the swell
when dormant skies command the winds to blow.

With sails avast, all front the undertow,
and when those silent surging ebbs rebel,
the tranquil sea will soon become a foe.

All reap its wrath when brutal waves bestow
their cresting crowns the pressing winds impel,
when dormant skies command the winds to blow.

And when those timbers shiver to-and-fro
while creaks and quivers groan within the well,
the tranquil sea will soon become a foe.

All heed the signs that let a sailor know
when heaven shares the omens that will tell
when dormant skies command the winds to blow,
the tranquil sea will soon become a foe.

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Brian Sambourne

Date: 8/21/2022 8:17:00 AM

Congratulations, Mark! Superb rhyming in your commanding villanelle. You've given the sea a dynamic presence indeed. Best wishes as you forge on in the Marathon contests. Sincerely, Brian

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 8/17/2022 10:29:00 PM

The sea can be a tranquil haven but may just as quickly become a surly sea. You have conveyed this vividly in your wonderful poem. This entry is so deserving of your Trophy win Mark. Congratulations my friend. Blessings xxoo

John Watt

Date: 8/16/2022 10:31:00 PM

Shiver me timbers Mark, another excellent entry and worthy trophy winner in the marathon. Your villanelle is perfectly rendered; I enjoyed your flawless iambic pentameter, your seamless rhymes, and your terrific maritime imagery. Well done, and congratulations ~ John

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 8/14/2022 1:34:00 PM

Wonderful writing. I love it. Congrats on your win. God bless you. Love, Gina

Susan Ashley

Date: 8/14/2022 9:54:00 AM

Dear Mark, your dramatic and dynamic imagery sweeps me up and away in the turbulent spirit and spellbinding expression of your poem. Simply superb, the villanelle acts like putty in your masterful hands. Congratulations for your excellent trophy win in Mark's contest. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Silent One

Date: 8/13/2022 4:20:00 AM

I can see why this one placed, the form has been written on point and there are many great lines through out the poem, I really do like the flow to it.

Mark Toney

Date: 8/12/2022 9:59:00 AM

Mark, your villanelle was written well. I love the two lines "And when those timbers shiver to-and-fro ~ while creaks and quivers groan within the well ..." A Fav poem for me. Congratulations on your first-place finish on Mile 11 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 12 has already started.