Snow Storm: Steam-Boat off a Harbour's Mouth

by J. M. W. Turner (1775-1851)

THE CLAIM*

Sailors,

tie me

to the mast,

so I may be

at the eye

of the storm.

Let me be

lashed about

for hours

in the blizzard

and squall.

Let me abandon

all hope.

And, if I

survive,

let me be bound 

to the storm again—

but this time

to tell its story,

to paint it.

* Inspired by J. M. W. Turner's claim, that he made the above painting after being tied to the mast of the steamboat, “Ariel,” during a storm at sea.