New term at writers’ group and we were trying to do some different challenges, so someone suggested rewriting well known poems…

With apologies to John Masefield…

Sea Fever

I must go down to the seas again, the Southbourne beach to see,

And all I ask is a beach hut and a kettle to make tea,

And the wave’s kick and the wind’s blast and my white body’s shaking,

As I fall into the sea’s face under a green wave breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the ripping tide,

Is a wild call and a warning from the RNLI.

And all I ask is a windy day with the kite surfers flying,

And the flung boards and the blown ropes and herring gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the cliff side beach hut life,

To the promenade and the children’s way where the sand castles are rife,

And all I ask is some knitting yarn and ideas for Tidalscribe,

And warm sun and a neat chair while I write a diatribe.

My beach hut is called Pens and Needles as I write and knit there and also on a clear day you can see ‘The Needles’ on the Isle of Wight.

John Edward Masefield – (1 June 1878 – 12 May 1967) was an English poet and writer. He was Poet Laureate from 1930 until his death in 1967. Among his best known works are the children’s novels The Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights, and the poems “The Everlasting Mercy” and “Sea-Fever“.

Comedians and others have always enjoyed creating their own versions of very well known poems and songs. Do you like to borrow from poets or do you prefer to write your own poetry?