The Mairi Bheag -
Trawler out of Kirkwall -
come down all storm-blown
into Stromness
for a refit.
All work and efficiency
this Little Mary of the sea,
standing silent now,
motionless
in her wooden props -
forlorn,
upright and static.
Little dry-docked Mary -
her light blue hull slightly faded,
still a warmer colour
than the northern seas she fishes -
awaiting paint to cover welding
at her damaged bows.
Rust-red paint below her Plimsol line
needs renewal
lest rust in actuality take hold
and hole her to her death
at sea
where pumps can fail
and cold kills quicker than the drowning.
The Mairi Bheag -
trawler out of Kirkwall -
longs for prawns and velvet crabs,
the lobster pots,
and the tangle-nets for crawfish,
but stands stowed all Bristol-fashion -
a fishwife all alone and watchful –
atop the hardstand
in Stromness.
Author notes
"Little Mary" is a common enough name for small craft. The K991 fishes out of the Orkneys, and was refit in 2008.
Edit and title change.
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
-
Execlent
An awesome poem
-
-
Thanks for taking the time to visit and read.
-
-
No Problem
It was well worth it
-
-
-
No need for revision...
I loved the line "lest rust in actuality take hold" great in the mouth and sound!!
-
Ah, wonderful! Repetition works really well in this piece. The scene is detailed so exactly and beautifully that it's easy to visualize. Once I got to "where pumps can fail/and cold kills quicker than the drowning" my stomach did somersaults like I was on a roller coaster. From that point to the end is my favorite; it shines with emotion and longing. I can't pick out anything, any part that needs revising. This is perfect.
-K
-
a lovely write and a great read for me. I see a forlorn little ship in drydock for repairs when the life of such ships is out on the ocean. Thank you for an enjoyable read.
Adding your comment:
1 - 6 of 6
