How Many.
How many dawns shall a gull's wings
carry night's shiver enough
miles to lift and dip beak's gaping hunger
at sea aiding eyes to catch something
which eaten keeps feathered hearts warm.
How many dusks will a new wife's lips
hopefully open on same
ocean as similar need fills with ache
a heart missing harbour-safe kisses
as his overdue boat battles fierce storm.
How many tides could it take to renew
resolute faith as starved eyes
search time and again empty horizons,
re-scanning each mile for love's food
sailing in late with her sailor on board.
How many hours can be spent praying
for courage to shake away dread
and feed on the times when fishermen,
heavy with haul set homeward again
knowing a woman waits bravely in port.
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Author:
Fay Slimm. (
Offline) - Published: September 13th, 2017 04:53
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 69
Offline)
Comments8
Beautiful FAY an elegant poem dripping wit sea water nostalgia. In the N E we say "The Boats cummin' in" A Friend of mine (based on the East Coast) works for the "Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen" and entitles his Talk (for WI's etc) "The Price of Fish & Chips" because sometimes the Boats don't come back in. The Deep Sea Fishermen of the UK and their families face a lot of heartache and hardship so you and I can enjoy a mega battered hake at Harry Ramsden's (Yorkshire) or at your local F & C Restaurant and Takeaway. Your poem really sets the scene ~ thank you. Last time Andy spoke at Church we passed his hat and sent him back to Lowestoft with £300 ~ AMEN I have a loose change box in my flat for ANDY !. Yours as ever BRIAN. SANTI & I have another collaboration "Seasons of Love" ~ please visit ~ Thanks ~ Love S & B
A fine write Fay.
A picture in my head , a woman on a widows walk overlooking the ocean waiting ....
'Anxious wife awaiting the return of her mate from danger' ... a theme so often replayed by wives of soldiers as well as those of fishermen. Well portrayed, Fay!
Great work Fay.
A wonderful depiction of waiting, longing, and love, but also of heartache and worries.
This poem reminds me of the movie "Perfect Storm" about the fisherman out of Gloucester, Massachusetts on the Andrea Gail who were lost at sea. I grew up on a coastal town with fishing boats in the harbor. A very sensitive write Fay. Beautifully written. ; )
Beautiful write Fay, just beautiful.
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