My Life Onboard Ship

ID: 333655   (Rated: 13+) The Writer's Cramp  Write the best story or poem in 24 hours or less and win 10,000 GPs! by Sophy

Today’s prompt: A Triad, a poem in three tercets. Each stanza is supposed to show an alteration of the person’s attitude/behavior.

My Life Onboard Ship

Through my ship’s portal I can sometimes see
Tiny slivers of stars that are winking at me.
I return their gaze and give them back a smile.

Inside the ship, the walls glow with bright.
Mom insists that we need fake solar light.
I try not to pout, but Dad’s absence is a trial.

Out on the skitter, Dad’s installing a new sail.
It’s a dangerous job to repair our ship’s tail.
I watch from inside and worry the whole while.


Late in the afternoon, Dad finally returns
And demands to know what subjects I've learned.
His lips don’t smile when he finds I didn’t study.

I open up my laptop and cram my science in.
Dad quizzes me, then makes me play my violin,
I’m awful at it, and my face turns hot and ruddy.

But Dad’s still cool. He gives my back a slap
And says, “Okay, son, how ‘bout a couple ship laps?”
I grin, knowing he’s returned to being my buddy.