A Fisherman's Tale

Out on the rolling waves, under the glow of the moon
we watched the stars starting to wake from their sleep.
When a huge thump woke us from our trance.
We raced to the port side of the ship, where
everyone watched as the milky shadow slinked by.
My face turned ashen, white, and pallid,
my chin trembled, as I was frozen to the spot.
Jonah would know this intense feeling.
For this astounding creature was next to impossible.

Its body was like a Beluga sturgeon, his mouth a great white.
It was a mystical creature from the darkest depths.

His body broke through the glittering waves,
Sending our boat in an unexpected direction.
I backed away, my eyes wide open with fear.
Sweat drip, drip, dripping down my face.

A massive tail rose toward the heavens,
his front half bent down to the lowest hell.
Then he slammed the hammer down on the water,
and with a thunderous roar, freezing sprays rained down.

We ran colliding one into another—
stuttering, stammering, shaking our heads.
We suddenly stopped intent on listening
for the hellion that haunts the blackest night.

Ba-Bump, Ba-Bump, is all we heard,
the sacred beat of the drums,
coming from our pounding hearts.

A seagull's cry broke our reverie;
calling us to return to our distant shore.

How will I share with others this amazing yarn
In such a way they'll truly believe?
For I need a better story. One that will not
automatically sound like a Fisherman's Tale!

(31 Lines)
(252 Words)
Winner - 2/07/24

Write a story or poem about a giant fish. ▼

Include (and bold) these phrases:

Jonah would know

Next to impossible

Need a better story

Everyone watched

Include word or line count

Written for "The Writer's Cramp" 

Entered into "The Long Poetry Contest"