POSTED BY FRAN HENNESSEY Scattered rocks amongst a weather-worn Headstone marked August Sonntag’s humble Gravesite. On a desolate moraine, Donald MacMillan bore witness to the isolated tomb, In stark solemnity, a single photograph taken In broad Arctic sunlight. Fifty years after Sonntag’s death, MacMillan Recollected tragic events that demoralizing Hayes to grieving silence. Icy water… Continue reading Silenced in Arctic Eternity
Category: Poetry
Afar on the Open Polar Sea
POSTED BY FRAN HENNESSEY Afar on the open polar sea I love to ride, with Dr. Hayes and Sonntag by my side. We run on A vigorous, close-hauled tack, approaching Baffin Bay. Under the low-angled summer sun, We steer a two-masted schooner amongst great Arctic majesties: breaching whales with blowing Plumes and ocean-swimming polar bears.… Continue reading Afar on the Open Polar Sea
Full Fathom of Duty
POSTED BY FRAN HENNESSEY No flowers graced three graves on Snow-swept Beechey Island, resting Place for the first deaths of Sir John Franklin’s doomed expedition. Humble wooden plaques, names and Dates of passing young lives, strength And hope infected by disease, tainted By lead poisoning, laid to rest in solemn Bleakness, entombed in permafrost. For… Continue reading Full Fathom of Duty
Silurian Headlands
Poetry submitted by Frances Hennessey. Inspired by The Open Polar Sea, Chapter XXX, Dr. Isaac Israel Hayes, Hurd and Houghton, 1867. Silurian Headlands Along the rocky shores of Kennedy Channel, wind and tide force Abrasive groans from colliding ice floes. As winter releases its reluctant grip, Flocks of chanting Dovekies return To roost on higher… Continue reading Silurian Headlands
