The Poetry of Ben and Adam Cartwright (by JC)

Summary:  With such a well of inspiration from which to draw, one could imagine them putting pen to paper on occasion.  Ben’s “Journey to the Sea” is an homage to his three wives; “Girl in the Moonlight” was composed by Adam.

Rating K+  (WC 290)

 

JOURNEY TO THE SEA

 

My love is a happy harbor

An Eden by the sea

With moorings deep and sturdy

She firmly anchors me

 

My love is a lighthouse beacon

To guide me in the storm

A lifeline to a sheltered port

Where I am safe and warm

 

My love is a rolling river

Disappearing ’round the bend

What lies beyond, a mystery

Whispered on the wind

 

My love is an endless ocean

Tempestuous and wild

Beneath the swell of crashing waves

I tremble like a child

 

Mercurial and fathomless

She holds me with her spell

Steals my breath with just one kiss

And drown I might as well

 

Then with a mother’s tenderness

She leads me to the shore

I see my future in her eyes

And I am home once more

 

Ben Cartwright ,  1841

 

 

GIRL IN THE MOONLIGHT

 

There is a girl both young and fair

As sweet and lovely as can be

A rosebud on the brink of bloom

Wise in ways she cannot see

 

So brightly shines her tender light

It shames the stars from whence she came

Heaven’s gift, by Love and Grace

Where all the angels know her name

 

The moon falls softly on her face

And rings a halo ’round her hair

A moment, soon a memory

Would that I could keep her there

 

Her laughter is my soul’s delight

And at her smile my heart can break

Unknowingly, she passes by

Leaving stardust in her wake

 

Adam Cartwright, 1857

 

 

Tags:  Adam Cartwright, Ben Cartwright

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Author: JC

A drop in the sea of humanity. And I write a bit.

20 thoughts on “The Poetry of Ben and Adam Cartwright (by JC)

  1. lovely poetry I can see them both keep journals, we know Ben did. I thinks it is some think they would write down. Not only do you write great stories, but you are also good at poetry

  2. These are beautiful and visual, but there is more than that. Ben’s use of metaphor and Adam’s structure give one the genuine sense that these truly were written in the mid 19th century. They leave me wishing I were there with the poets themselves.

    1. I tried to make them as authentic as possible, to reflect the influences these two men had on their lives. For Ben, it was definitely the sea, and for Adam, it was his love and knowledge of poetry itself. Adam’s poem first appeared in Ties That Bind, where the subject was a young lady for whom he had very tender feelings. 🙂 Thank you for the lovely compliment, Jan. The gift of your time and your comments are much appreciated!

  3. Poetically, beautiful. I can imagine both having sat at a desk with a lamplight softly glowing, writing of the hearts.

    1. Yes, pensive Adam, thoughtful Ben. They would certainly understand that poetry is more than just words that rhyme. Thanks for reading, Q. 🙂

  4. Very nice! Yes, I can see both of them composing poetry — they have deep souls, those Cartwright men …

    Thanks so much for sharing!

  5. What a wonderful concept. I agree that Ben and Adam would have entries like this in their journals. Beautifully written, JC.

  6. Lovely work, JC. I admire those who write beautiful poetry, and I really enjoyed these. Thanks for sharing them with us.

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