Sea Fever
“Look at that seascape. Just like the beach back home.” I stepped closer, sure I could smell the tang of salt in the air. I admired the whorls in the paint that gave life to the waves.
“Tall Ship on a Lonely Sea,” read Meg.
Indeed, there it was, silhouetted in the darkening sky, a lone star twinkling above.
“I must go down to the sea again…” I whispered the first line of the poem.
As though this were a key, the frame clicked open. We peered through the doorway and smiled in delight at the perfect beach before us.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThis story is named after and influenced by my favourite poem ‘Sea Fever’ by John Masefield. I used to live near the sea, and miss it desperately now that I don’t. I’d love to have the picture from this story hanging in my house so I could have a quick trip to the beach whenever I like! For the full poem, click the link: https://allpoetry.com/sea-fever the poem is in the public domain… Read more »
Carrie, you just made my day. “Sea Fever” was one of my father’s favorite poems, which he could recite at the drop of a hat, even when he was 95! My sister and I also learned it by heart. When I read your incredible story, I tested myself to see if I could still recite the entire thing. Thanks for the link so I could check myself! I only missed “flung spray… Read more »
Thank you, Julie, I’m so glad the story brought back a happy memory for you. I don’t even remember when I first heard or read the poem, I just know I’ve loved it from early childhood. The painting is a bit of magic in the form of an app called Brushstroke that turns photographs into paintings. I just wish I’d thought to add a star above the ship to make it fit… Read more »
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI always love how beautifully you weave your own imagination with things you’ve seen or read in the past! You tie them together with such ease and your research is always spot on.
Love the picture you paint in our minds with even such a short piece!
Thank you so much, Emily. I’m really glad you enjoyed it. There is so much beauty in the literature and art from times past that it is nice to be able to honour it in stories. I like to add the links so that people can learn more about the things I’m mentioning in my stories if they desire to do so ????
We very much enjoyed the ability to “smell the tang of salt” and see the “whorls in the paint”. However, the line is misquoted. “I must go down to the seas again.” Still, a great escape story.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you for your kind comments. It makes me feel better about getting placed in the public vote now that I’ve been chosen as a finalist! Yes, I realised about the misquote with Julie’s comment. It’s funny that she learned the poem with sea in the singular too, so I shall have to blame school for that! ?
The poem in your story took me back to my school days, Carrie. I entered the poetry reading competition and came in 2nd after the girl who read ‘Sea Fever’. All I can remember about my poem was that it involved worms! So absolutely no chance there! But I will never forget the beautiful winning poem. This is a lovely, magical story and you are to be congratulated on what you achieved… Read more »
Thank you, Linda. It’s such a lovely poem, it really captures the heart of the sea. The only worm poem I can think of is the one that starts ‘Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I’m going down the garden to eat worms.’ I learned that one in the Girls Brigade when we went to camp! I think I was lucky to find such a beautiful photograph to work with. This one… Read more »
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleCarrie, the picture that you used already drew my attention. When I saw it I thought it looked mystical, like it held some secret. I loved your story, especially the magical ending! I wasn’t familiar with the poem, thank you for sharing the link. It is beautiful. Well done on a great story.
Thank you, Marianna. I’m glad that I was able to introduce you to the lovely poem and that you found the link useful. I desperately want that picture to step through to get to the beach. It would save me a two hour journey to get there!
A great reference to the 1902 poem “Sea Fever” by John Masefield. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to utter phrases that opened up new worlds?
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYes, that’s why I pinned a post with the link to the poem. I knew there may be people who hadn’t come across it before. It’s such a beautiful poem and I love the sea so much that I felt compelled to entwine the two together, and it just seemed right that the words would open a portal to the perfect beach for my protagonist.
Hello, Carrie. Thanks for sharing the link. This is my first reading of this poem (Sea Fever). And I love it. I also love and enjoy reading your story until the end. You’ve got all the talent of a great writer. Well done.
Thank you, Lotchie. I’m glad that you enjoyed both my story and the poem that inspired it. I’m so glad I’ve been able to introduce new people to the poem, it’s nice to think we can pass beautiful things on to the next generation.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYou are welcome, Carrie.
I really love this story, Carrie. I’m very familiar with the poem, and I love the touch of magic at the end. Nice use of the prompt and the one hundred words!
Thank you so much, Juma, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI have to confess that I am one of those readers who never had read or heard about Masefield’s wonderful poem. Thanks for enlightening me. I really enjoyed all three parts here, also the amazing picture and, of course, your story with the inspirational idea of the picture opening up as a
“Sesame” while saying the first words of the poem. Great writing!
Thank you for your kind words, Christer. I’m glad I’ve introduced you to Masefield’s poem. The words have always stirred something inside me, so it’s nice for someone else to enjoy it too.
I love the poem and the idea that you could go through the picture to your perfect place – well done
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleIt’s such a great poem. Would love to have a magical picture to walk through. It would save the two hour journey in the car!
Congratulations, Carrie.
Thank you 🙂
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleLoved the magic at the end! Pure delight! Thanks again for sharing another beautiful piece.