Flogged Upon Rack At Sea Poem by Terence George Craddock (Spectral Images and Images Of Light)

Wisdom Sentimentality
Sincerity.
Are free
inflating hearts that can be
above risen
treacherous currents
embroiled
in bitter judgement misty
dark green sea.

Past waves sucked out marrow
chilling chipped raw bones
stripping striped flayed flesh.
Balsam rubbed in hardens
shuddering residual resistance.
As gashed groaning flesh rigidly
resists handfuls of coarse salt.
Raked across weeping wounds
sentence scouraged bitterly.


Copyright © Terence George Craddock
‘The Saga Of A Convict Lass’ is the original template poem for a collage of poems, symbolic of collective convict suffering, yet unique experiences of individuals, during the penal transportation period. See also ‘Penal Transportation: Forgotten Gaelic Slaves’, ‘Money Purchases Only Pearls’ and ‘Sentenced For The Term Of Her Natural Life’ by Terence George Craddock.