2019 3rd Place Winner - Joseph Harrison, 'Thalassa'

JOSEPH HARRISON

Third Prize - 2019 Tower Poetry Competition, 'Underwater'

Thalassa

Upon her bed she gently laid

The ship, and tucked it tight with locks

Of seaweed, wrenched up sand-smoothed rocks

For pillows; motherly she made

It snug with silt, and whisp’ring bade

Her brine-born soldiers’ shining flock

To watch over the night-dark dock

Where cannons rusted and the rigging frayed.

Many men have left the fold,

the certain safety of the shore;

And many hearts of captains bold

lie still upon her sandy floor.

Embittered by the salt and cold,

Her foam-fanged waters thirst for more.