Live Silver.

Fay Slimm.

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 God bless all those
who still brave an ocean.

  • Author: Fay Slimm. (Offline Offline)
  • Published: March 1st, 2017 08:49
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 33
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Comments +

Comments11

  • Tony36

    Great write

  • Goldfinch60

    God Bless them indeed. Good write.

  • willyweed

    I don't like fish & chips but there is nothing not to like with this poem nice one Fay! sweet ww

  • Philip

    Your poem conjures up a time gone by at sea and on the harbour excellently.
    Phil.G.

  • orchidee

    A fine descriptive write.

  • Michael Edwards

    I can taste the salt - another super piece.

  • BRIAN & ANGELA

    Thanks FAY ~ love the concept of the fish being "live silver" ! God hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea ! Thanks for caring 7 sharing ~ Yours B

  • Augustus

    Spoken like a true fishmonger. Enjoyed.

  • MendedFences27

    Images that jump from the paper to the reader: of herring, sails, boats, gulls, nets, hatches, knives and salt barrels. Olden times when going to sea was far more dangerous than it is today. All to earn a mere crust from the sea. What a great poem. Loved every word of it. - Phil A.

  • Pintu Mahakul

    Primitive gulls are riding very high with waves of life. There is storm on the horizon and this is just along with fishing. To fasten the entrances to the lower part of a ship using wooden boards. to prepare for a difficult situation is wonderfully managed here for protective life. Knives are flashing at harbour's side. Earning their crust from wild sea is amazing and this mesmerizes mind and this is meant for togetherness. They are brave like ocean. May God bless them all! A brilliant poem this is. This reflects life very well.

    • Fay Slimm.

      Thank you Pintu so much for this wonderful résumé of the verse on hazards of fishing at sea.

    • Neville

      the perfect title drew me in and once in, I was held fast till the very end... I swear my new beard glistens silver with sea sprayed salt...... top marks for this one my friend.... Neville

      • Neville

        tis getting there....

        • Fay Slimm.

          Oh I declare you spoil me kind Sir - - so pleased you fell captive to the words and picture - - hope though that new beard is dry again now.............. x



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