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Open Poetry #19

life from the sea

JamesBowie
Member

since 2000-11-25

Posts 252
big old Bangor Maine up by the shack

0 posted 2002-03-25 11:01 PM

The sharp outlines of coastal rock jaggedly
thrust up amidst the pounding waves
generated from a strengthening Nor’easter
cyclically spinning just to the south
as the first snowflakes begin to fall

At the edge of the sea among the crashing
froth lies a granite based lighthouse
with it’s bright white paint becoming weathered
to gray as it casts it’s shining beacon about
warning ships of the danger of coming near

A fisherman’s boat bobs and tilts
among the heaving waves which crash
about it’s bow, spraying icy cold salt water
over the men manning the nets as they feel
their hands bitten by the numbing air

Weathered faces take in the view of the
tumultuous ocean, at odds with their environment
these men scrape a hard living from the sea beds
waiting for the moment when they can return
and warm themselves before a crackling hearth fire

As the coals soften in their glow, a wife
throws more wood on the fire then turns to
cutting fish with quick efficient movements
as she waits for her husband and son to return
from the sea, to come into her home

Suddenly, the boat rocks with an impact
her hull breaking against a submerged rock
the men distracted by their tasks, never took
in the warning meted out by the sentinel lighthouse
and they are cast into the briny cold

The father and son pull together onto a fractured
piece of their now sinking boat, casting about for
the shore seeing the crashing waves smashing
into the unforgiving rocks, knowing that they
will never again see their home

The woman finishes cutting up potatoes
and yellow onions for the chowder as she
looks out her frosted window and waits
with her hands helpless at her sides
she awaits their return

skyshine

Member Elite

since 2002-02-07

Posts 3058
Beneath the northern stars

1 posted 2002-03-25 11:11 PM

This is so sad...honestly, it was a bit depressing to read this. Vivid images and powerful emotions though.

sky

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