Live Silver.
Herring boats puffing patched sails,
raw hands at tillers,
barbarous gulls riding high waves,
chasing live silver.
Fishing nets heaving with catches,
storm on the horizon,
battening down the heavy hatches
until port hoves in sight.
Knives flashing at harbour\'s side
as despite night\'s black,
salt-barrels beside shawled wives
wait for the attack.
Earning their crust from wild sea
meant togetherness
and held much the same meaning
for both women and men.
May Heaven keep safe all those
who still brave an ocean.