Comment from Barry Penfold

Exceptional

A great entry for this contest. Just a really well told tale. Like the clever rhyming and the flow of the story. Really got me in Paul. Well done and you take care and have a wonderful day. I have a feeling you have more stories to tell about the life of a fisherman.
Cheers
Barry Penfold.

 Comment Written 25-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 25-Feb-2024

Thanks, Barry. You are right. I was in that business for over forty years.

Comment from Wendy G

Exceptional

An excellent, although very sad story in a poem, totally engrossing, and written with your trademark excellent skill at both rhyme and metre, both very suitable for this ballad-style poem. Wishing you great success in the contest.
Wendy

 Comment Written 25-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 25-Feb-2024

Thanks, Wendy. You should see the movie or read the book. Both are titled "The Perfect Storm".

Comment from Frank Malley

Exceptional

I was caused to remember the book and the movie. Even with survival suits and radios, the Atlantic Ocean is an insuperable opponent if you're in the wrong spot at the wrong time. Fishing boats are usually named for women. I suspect that a woman's name is comforting.
After my brother sold his Alaska longliner, the Tanya Dee, this steel hulled boat went down in the depths of the north Pacific. No one heard a radio call, and the crew of two was lost. Mr. McFarland's poem uses a storyteller's meter and an unfailing images of fishermen, the sea, and the threat that fisherman live with.

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 25-Feb-2024

Thanks, Frank. I worked for a company that has factory trawlers in the Bering Sea. I wrote a poem about the Arctic Rose tragedy.

reply by Frank Malley on 25-Feb-2024

Nice poem, Paul

Comment from rspoet

Exceptional

Hello Paul
An epic tale of the perils of going to sea. I saw the movie many years ago,
odd name, The Perfect Storm, but four forces came together to create a monster.
Excellent ballad form in rhyme and meter, plus the detail of description is outstanding.
It reminded me of Gordon Lightfoot's song "Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald."
Well done.
Good luck in the story contest.
Best wishes.
Robert

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 25-Feb-2024

Thanks, Robert. That was a really good movie, and the book is also very good.

Comment from QC Poet

Excellent

As I read through the paragraphs throughout your posting I kept thinking what a great story poem for the Share a Story in a Poem contest then was pleasantly surprised that is exactly what was linked in the notes Blessings to you and Good Luck in the contest

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 25-Feb-2024

Thanks, QC. If you can find it in my portfolio, take a look at "The Sinking of the Arctic Rose".

Comment from Begin Again

Excellent

I've seen the movie and fits perfectly in your entry for a story in a poem. Chills ran up and down my spine as I pictured each line you wrote. Very well done.

Smiles, Carol

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 25-Feb-2024

Thanks, Carol. These true stories are usually spine tingling.

Comment from Dawn Munro

Exceptional

First, your notes -- the movie was fabulous -- in fact, I would watch it again.
Your story-in-a-poem is marvelous too. The internal rhyme is unrivaled by anything I've read -- the meter is excellent -- the topic you chose is the best! A true story, beautifully told. If this doesn't win the contest, I will be astounded.

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 25-Feb-2024

Thanks, Dawn. I am overwhelmed by your comments. I worked in the commercial fishing industry for over forty years.

Comment from Gloria ....

Exceptional

This is an epic poem, and I enjoyed how you pulled this together into a well told tale of the Andrea Gail.

I have seen the movie a few times, so could picture that tragedy of course with the added element of cinematic drama. I must read the book now.

Wishing you all the best with the contest Committee.

My only suggestion is to increase the text size to 20.

Gloria

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 25-Feb-2024

Thanks, Gloria. My eyes are getting poor, so I should take your advice about the font size.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

What a tragic story, and there have been many, one only needs to examine the wilder part of the Australian coastline to get a picture of that particular story. Beautifully written Paul, an excellent, rhyming rhythmic poem, well dine, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 25-Feb-2024

Thanks, Roy. The Bering Sea is also a place that has seen many tragedies.

reply by royowen on 25-Feb-2024

Well done

Comment from dragonpoet

Excellent

Hi Paul,
This is a well rhymed and metered poem about a well know sinking of the
Andrea Gail. It shows how brave the fisherman are and how much sadness a storm at sea can cost the families of the lost fishermen. The short and long line can be like the rising and falling of the waves. I like the internal rhymes in the first and third lines of each stanza.
Congrats on winning the contest.
Keep writing and stay healthy.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Joan

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 25-Feb-2024

Thanks, Joan. I worked for a company that experienced a sinking with loss of life, so this tragedy hit close to home.

reply by dragonpoet on 25-Feb-2024

My pleasure, Paul.
Joan