Cargoes

Is there a better way of getting to know a poem than writing your own version?

Parody is the usual term for this but it implies something slightly derogatory. ‘Homage’ might be a better term. Whatever you call it, the act of mimicking a piece of writing not only brings you closer to it, it also helps you to understand it, to appreciate how it is put together.

The popular poem ‘Cargoes’ by John Masefield has a clear pattern and structure. The most important aspect is the division into three verses, or stanzas, as some prefer to call them, which begin in a leisurely fashion and finish in a short sharp, almost staccato, fashion. Note the longer words and longer vowel sounds in the first verse, the short words and short vowel sounds in the third.

The original moves from the almost mythical quinquireme and all its associations of luxury and exoticism, through the more recognizable but still rather gorgeous galleon, to the down to earth and dirty coaster or tramp steamer. The word choices reflect the changes, both in their meaning and in their sound: the quinquireme moves slowly and majestically, the coaster is urgent and business-like.

Replicating this aspect of the poem may be enough for many pupils. However, if you wish to take the imitation further, there is the pattern of rhythm and rhyme to try to copy. The rhyme scheme is simple, the rhythm, less so. The third line ‘With a cargo of…’ gives the writer something to use as helpful marker half way through the verse.

Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir,
Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine,
With a cargo of ivory,
And apes and peacocks,
Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine.

Stately Spanish galleon coming from the Isthmus,
Dipping through the Tropics by the palm-green shores,
With a cargo of diamonds,
Emeralds, amythysts,
Topazes, and cinnamon, and gold moidores.

Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack,
Butting through the Channel in the mad March days,
With a cargo of Tyne coal,
Road-rails, pig-lead,
Firewood, iron-ware, and cheap tin trays.

 

However, the first task is to decide on a suitable subject. Perhaps it might be cars or lorries (stretch limo to old banger; inter-continental truck to delivery van). There is scope for some non-transport variations: horses or dogs, perhaps – or even football teams.

Here is a version which takes trains as the subject:

 

 

 

Eurostar of Gare du Nord from distant Paris
Gliding home to London under the sea
With a cargo of wine-sippers
Holiday makers, honeymooners
Claret, cognac and hot sweet tea.

East coast mainline coming from Kings Cross
Clipping through the Midlands by the rain soaked fields
With a cargo of businessmen,
Geordies, Scottish ladies, 
Toasted sandwiches and cheap meal deals.

Dirty little diesel with a blunt front end
Batting up the line on a clear Jan day
With a cargo of shoppers, trippers,
Young mums, nippers,
Footie-watchers and waifs and strays.