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The Shrimper Story
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The Shrimper Story |
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2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
Before retiring to a career on land, but not far from the sea, I shrimped in the Gulf of Mexico, for over 17 years. This is one of my first poems about my life. Well, we go out again and fight the rough cold sea, Cause the boss said, “Work and make some money for you and me.” So we go to work and start dragging our nets. We go inshore and offshore and east and west. We find a few here and we find a few there, Then we get discussed and say, “We just don’t care.” But we put in our nights and do our best, Trying hard to find that golden shrimp nest. Then nothing is right, everything is wrong. We put in our night, then sing our song. We been screwed and blued And tattooed too. We been used, abused And battered too. We see a shrimp boat, she’s running east, Hoping for the most, but gets the least. We’ve been there and we’re running west, Not for more shrimp, but for the best. We start heading home, that makes it better. We got a little money made, but it just don’t matter. There’s no slowing down and we will not stop. We gonna get to that well known spot. Inside the jetties, outriggers reach for the sky. We are almost home and our sprits are high. We took care of the boat and made it a profit, But feel like telling the boss where to stuff it. When we unloaded, we found we done good. With a good captain and crew, we knew we would. But it’s the same old story: Unload and Get paid, Take our money, find our honey, and get …. A good Old Fashion greasy sloppy hamburger. |
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| © Copyright 2001 Melton Culberth - All Rights Reserved | |||
Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
And you were ready and willing to go the next season, I'll bet. Good story. Joyce |
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kcsgrandma Senior Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 1522Presque Isle, ME |
This is a good story, and gives me a view of a life a know nothing about.  Like your ending.To love another person is to see the face of God. |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
Pretty much the view of a lot of people in a variety of jobs. Me? I've never been motion sickness, but I've got a feeling I would be feeding the fish lunch for most of the time out. A good story told well. Thanks for sharing... I bow to you and yours. |
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coyote Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 1077 |
"Legends of the Fall", my brother. Good stuff, Melton. Thanks. "The poet is the priest of the invisible." |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
What a hard life this must have been. What a tricky ending! I enjoyed it. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I enjoyed the read! |
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2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
Joyce, Kcs, Andrew, Coyote, Trillium, Sunshine, Thank you for your comments. When you’re gone for weeks at a time, you really start thinking of that hamburger a lot. I became a land lubber in 1985. Melton |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Have to laugh a bit....we have a place called "Cozies"....a hamburg joint....no one can appreciate the smell, but they all enjoy the bite! |
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coyote Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 1077 |
"I know a man named Captain Crowe, Who used to shrimp so long ago, He hunted deer and elk you see, and came with bounty from the sea. He has long since returned to shore, and I don't hunt much anymore. But I sure miss those shrimp & snapper, Upon the grill & dinner platter." Out of Port Isabel, TX, Laguna Madre? Did ya know him, Melton? "The poet is the priest of the invisible." |
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2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
Can't say that I do. I was out of Aransas Pass. I hardly ever went down south to unload. But, it's possible I talked to him on the radio- old sea stories, yuh known. Melton |
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coyote Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 1077 |
Aye,Aye, Sir. And some right fine stories they were I would imagine? You should tell us some more, my friend. Thanks. "The poet is the priest of the invisible." Wallace Stevens [This message has been edited by coyote (edited 03-31-2001).] |
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