The stars sure are bright, tonight! That's rare, this close to shore; mist's like the prairie's night-stalking scavengers--always around whether you know it or not, whether they have a reason or not! It's good, to sit here, safely moored. There's a good, long sail behind me, a clear night overhead and a day of no responsibilities to anyone or anything ahead. Just one day: after that, there's people want my time. There's always people want my time!
But damn, it was a good trip!
A small-boat drifts by under minimal power, and changes the direction of the swells for a second; the hawser moans like a cow who just woke up to find her calf a bit further off than she likes--and the cabin-light seems like a campfire, off in the distance. Mist comes up...the stars fade...
...and my butt still hurts from the day's ridin'! But it's good to lie here, head on my saddle, some other fool ridin' night-watch fer a change, an' jus' think. Ain't had much time, lately, fer jus' thinkin'. Wind's buildin', but it won't show the stars for the dust it kicks up. Cookie just hung up his pots & pans to let the sand scour 'em clean, they clink like a fresh sea-breeze in the riggin', an' I pull up the collar of my duster, pull my hat lower on my face. Two more days should see th' herd in an' ready to ship. Night train comin' by in the distance...clickety-clickety-clickety-clack...
...clickety-clickety-clickety-clack, my fingers on the keyboard, Vicki humming a favorite song of mine while she shakes out laundry that pops like a sail catching a fresh wind, the scent of fresh coffee drifts in from the kitchen with a memory of a favorite New Orleans Cafe and the horse at the door tries yet again to come inside like she thinks she's a lapdog and I wonder...
Why, when everywhere I've been, I've found something to love...why does everyplace I go make me think of somewhere else?
© MMVII eric lee
Author notes
Thank you, Mysty...that was fun.
A contest entry
- Musings by Suzanne Dia.
750 points, ended September 11, 2007, 21 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
whatever you wanna say is fine...I did this for the sheer pleasure.
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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Congrats on the Gold.
Lisa -
I read this loads of times and didn't realise it was in the contest. It was just that it smells of the sea and sun dried linen and a kind of peace- it was of course, like listening to a poet's voice speaking his thoughts.
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ahh yes... course this is gold.. course it is
well done you, you of the old fart brigade
hehehehhe
muchly deserved old timer
>>>>>>slopes of singing an old song in my head...
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I loved the write.. but the last line was the most powerful to me..
Simply because it is true..
Take Care my friend,
Cat
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This is a very interesting write. I loved the images you portrayed in it. And I have known this feeling all too well. When I was a manager there was always someone calling me and needing help.
Write on!
~*~SP~*~
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Thank you. -
wow i love this! good luck in the contest
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