Mary Ann Patten
In tempest’s roar and ocean’s sweep, A captain’s breath lay bound in sleep. His trembling hands could steer no more, while sickness plagued him to the core.
A child beneath her beating heart, Yet duty’s call would soon impart A courage fierce, a spirit grand— The helm now rested in her hand.
The first mate, drunk on pride and fear, dismissed, disgraced—no captain near. The second stumbled, weak and lost, and so she bore the burden’s cost.
Through bitter winds and crashing waves, she braved the storms that sought their graves. A mutinous cry in shadow crept— But steadfast still, her promise kept.
With charts in hand, she scanned the sky, The stars her guide, the clouds passed by. No laurels crowned her weary brow, yet strength and grace sustained her vow.
She nursed her love through fevered night, A fading flame, a frail delight. For fifty days her spirit led, While death and duty onward sped.
No medals pinned upon her chest, No songs were sung nor flags impressed. But history whispers soft and low, Of Mary Ann’s unyielding glow.
She faced the gale with tender might, A sailor’s star, a beaconed light. Though time may dim her fleeting name, her legacy forever flame.
Mary Ann Patten
From the blog
About the Author: Sarah B. Royal
Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.
Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.
Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.
Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.
WoPoLi 
Leave a comment