He crossed the sea with powerful strokes, Taming the ocean blue, Every single wave he coaxed Would part and let him through. A god, a man, a mystery Who's legend is untold. Abandoned at a fishery When he was one year old. Throughout the years, he earned his keep Helping his father trawl. And every fish that he would reap, Would fill their market stall. Rumors then began to fly Around the village squares. He was not a normal guy, And neither were his wares. He was too big, they used to say, For being twenty-three. What's more, his eyes were gray, And shimmered like the sea. The elders spoke in whispered tones About the god who drowned To offer up his very bones And save the village ground. Legend said he would return Once his debt was paid. But the elders had much to learn About the drowned god's aid. The reason that he gave his life To help the village grow Was to protect them from the rife Of monsters down below. When the fearsome beasts awoke Smelling the village men, A voice inside the young man spoke; The drowned god lived again. As the monsters slithered near Anxious to devour, The villagers quaked in fear At the new god's power. He split the oceans with a roar Tearing those beasts apart. Then, standing on the bloodied shore, These words did he impart: "Once again, I've saved your town, Fulfilling my last vow. No more will I have to drown, But still, I leave you now. There are others I must save, More promises to keep." Then he walked into a wave Making the townsfolk weep. Now the young man swims alone Keeping the beasts at bay. Forever hoping to atone The ones he did betray. Because of him, the monsters roam And terrorize the land. Now, the ocean is his home; An endless reprimand. So if you're ever by the shore, Stare out into the deep. You may just glimpse some ancient lore: The Drowned God on his sweep.
I woke up with the phrase “He crossed the sea with powerful strokes taming the ocean blue” stuck in my head, and this is the result!
Your prompt is to find a phrase and use it as the first lines of a poem!
And, if you’re willing to share, I’d love to see them in the comments!
