Free Verse, Poetry

Atlantic Crossing

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Written for dVerse Poets Pub –
Open Link Night hosted by Grace.
For my grandparents, parents, and all
brave immigrants following their dreams.

SS Prinzess Irene from Naples, Italy, arriving in NY, 1908
© Frank Walsh Originals

Thirty days of salt and silence,
the old world shrinking into fog,
children sleeping on the decks,
bread and dreams and Rosary beads.

Then a torch lifted from the water….
La Statua, gray in morning mist….
and a thousand hands gripped the rail
as if the ship itself had stopped breathing.

Napoli was a shadow now.
This harbor, terrifying and bright,
smelled of coal smoke and promise
and futures waiting to be made.

NAR©2026

This is “America” by Neil Diamond

OpenLinkNight #408

Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.

49 thoughts on “Atlantic Crossing”

    1. Thanks very much, Merril. Something I did not anticipate was that my WordPress friends would respond to my poem by talking about their own ancestors emigrating from various parts of the world. I’m so glad that happened; it’s been a delight reading their comments. Your grandparents must have had some incredible stories about their homeland to share.

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        1. That’s dedication! You might be interested in knowing my husband grew up on City Island in the Bronx, New York. From the time he was old enough to get a job, he worked in one of the marinas; he became quite skilled in the workings of boats and the boatyard and is a proficient sailor and angler. We have a boat which is used primarily for fishing on the weekends. It’s a great way to introduce the grandkids to boating and fishing. I’m sure my husband and I would enjoy reading your blog.

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          1. I was actually going to ask you about the ships you must see. That is SO cool about your husband! I want a fishing boat and plan to get one.
            I went ahead and got the domain…oldsteamships.blog
            They were so luxurious and refined. Not a floating party boat like a cruise ship (nothing wrong with that) but these ships were special.

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  9. Such a fitting poem. My great-grandparents arrived in 1911 from Germany. My 4-year-old grandfather told me his memory of arriving was seeing the Statue of Liberty. We have a photo of the boat too.

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    1. We are among the fortunate who heard these incredible stories directly from our grandparents and parents who lived it. It took great determination, desire, and a dream on the part of our ancestors; I’m humbled by them and proud to be first generation Italian. Thank you for sharing your personal thoughts, Darlene. I’m pleased to know you enjoyed my poem.

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  10. The music in the Neil Diamond song is like a frame around the words..amazing. Thanks for sharing it and your words, as well..which honored your forefathers..and mine, who came by ship from Holland.

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  14. They are brave people and I am so happy to read this journey as it is my family’s journey too. So many dreams can be achieved with hard work. Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. That is a very long time to be confined in one small space so high up in the sky. You put your faith and your life in the hands of one man …. one of the many reasons I no longer travel by airplane. ✈️ Thank you for this wonderful musical escape, my dear far away friend. 💙 🎶

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