This poem's theme is the famous historical journey of the Pilgrim Fathers aboard the 'Mayflower' ship in 1620. This year marks the 400th anniversary of their trans-Atlantic journey to untamed westerly lands (at least to European eyes).
I wanted to reflect on the endeavours of its passengers, in particular after they had made landfall, as well as the many attendant consequences of their pilgrimage. An undiminished reverence for the Pilgrims' original journey is still maintained by the continent's colonial descendants and the settler's mindset remains strongly embedded within American culture even to this day, despite it being increasingly at odds with a modern capitalist society.
I hope the poem invokes some thoughts on the topics raised by the anniversary commemorations.
We may flower in our search. No, we will. New lands offering more than just hope. Freeing our creed from the taint of the Old. Following the stars to dreamed reformation. Yet knowing our loved ones may die, whilst trying to find more meaning than in persecuted living. Escapees to those behind. Invaders to those ahead. Pilgrims to ourselves. Our faith in success, will be our success. Our god willing us to impress upon this land a community to breed, defend and heal by our own hands. Driving our stakes into virgin lands, ripe with potential. In commerce we’ll thrive, limitless expansion. The ungodly our diseases will take in their stride. Let’s rake the earth for all its treasures, Nature’s newness devoured with blessings bestowed. Consumption to unfittingly unfold, our new religion untold. We will be millions from our wives’ duty and service. Our men seeding power from Europe’s flight. Legend in might, holier-than-thou in any fight. We have flowered so much, our hope irrepressible. But will following stars and a settler’s biblical creed fertilize minds to maturity or bring a nation’s death to seed?
The poem was submitted earlier this year into the Winchester Poetry Prize 2020. As with my previous year's entry, it failed to make the longlist. But I remain undaunted and will persevere for the 2021 contest!