The Geordie Crossing

From just outside Jarrow
 there came an seafarer
 who set out to sea
in a rusting wheelbarrow;
leaving naught to chance,
 with his Michelin guide
 and a sextant in hand
he set sail for France.

Upon reaching land
 the mayor of Dunkirk
 turned out to greet him
with a military band
and I’ve heard it said
 he was held shoulder high
 and hailed as a hero
despite being dead.

Now I feel inclined
 to attest for the record
 that there’s none so stout
as men raised by the Tyne
for when it occurred
 that the sea took it’s toll
 he expired in silence
not saying a word.

(c) 2012 Poetrivia