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RMW
Senior Member

since 2001-03-21

Posts 1424

0 posted 2001-07-31 05:52 PM

The Boatswain

The sea changes.
Slips into a name that feels
More comfortable
To small boats and harbor seals
Crowding bulkily on the sand spit.
Calm,
A vastly different kind of peril,
Runs tidal palms around the calves of clam diggers.
Bottoms thirst for copper paint.
Pilings, once upright,
With barnacles and sea worms
Associate in an orgy of corruption.
Regret leans,
As up and down the docks
College girls on spring vacation
Display cuts eliciting attention
That could cost the high school dropout
His thumb or finger,
Not to mention a trip to the Aleutians
And the company of St. Paul and Peter,
Rocks worth remembering.
Gulls wallow,
While outside the bay's entrance
An aging boatswain
Patrols in company
With a tiger shark.

RMW

Cpat Hair

Member Patricius

since 2001-06-05

Posts 11793

1 posted 2001-07-31 05:56 PM

you paint them well Bob... as usual I could see the images...and enough left unsaid or said in such a way that the mind can make of it...what the experience can draw from it

I enjoyed

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

2 posted 2001-07-31 08:30 PM

Hi Bob--You have painted quite a picture of beauty and corruption...I always enjoy reading your poetry, you know, and I learned a new word..thanks!

Interloper

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-11-06

Posts 8369
Deep in the heart

3 posted 2001-07-31 08:34 PM

Nice pilot fish ...
Way to go again, Bob!

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

4 posted 2001-07-31 10:02 PM

"Regret leans...

rocks worth remembering..."

somehow, these two lines reach out...

I shall have to put this where I can read it again...and again...

for some more lines that reach out!

VAS
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-11-16

Posts 7450
Oregon

5 posted 2001-07-31 11:08 PM

so many things to see in this one, RMW, well done, very well done!

It reminds me of some of the docks I've been to, yet some of the action is more 'up close' in this piece.

RMW
Senior Member

since 2001-03-21

Posts 1424

6 posted 2001-08-01 10:21 AM

Thank you all for the kind words. My attendance here is so erratic. I'm always pleased to find a response. You guys are always there. Thanks again. Bob

Sven

Member Laureate

since 1999-11-23

Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA

7 posted 2001-08-04 02:42 PM

you always manage to paint the most unique portraits my friend. . .

excellent. . .

-----------------------------------------------------------

To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

Constance
Member

since 2001-07-28

Posts 393
Ohio

8 posted 2001-08-04 05:09 PM

one to read and read again. This is a fine piece- full of images and subtle emotion-set to the music of the sea.

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