the slips

there’s a different boat in the slips today, its belly beginning to rust, and i'm told the fuel lines leak, as well. i've no clue what it is, beyond someone’s old dream and now Dan’s hope held high.

it is a sight though, up there. a rigor mortis frankenstein passed out on bath salts. says he spent his last 5K and final shot at getting straight. left the west coast, riding on his thumb and lonely seats of truckers across the Nullarbor. now he’s here, by the seat of his pants, at the arse-end of the world in Oyster Cove.

he's still young, but weathered - like his hopes of floating. a motor starts coughing with a smokers laugh, and he scoffs, waving his tobacco pouch - "eighty bucks for this s**t now!” i want to give him a sandwich, but i haven't one to give. silver gulls zag above, unimpressed.

today the water’s flat. a grey sheet that doesn’t mirror Dan’s dream much, of sunny jaunts to the islands. i think to myself that,
maybe this boat’s a fool’s bet, needing a coffin’s shroud more than that red flannel shirt knotted tight around the fuel line.

but he has it tied, and it’s sink or swim from here. besides: i know nothing about boats. but gosh, i hope he makes it. if this his last rock bottom... at least he's building up.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I pictured the character as well and wanted to offer him dessert to go with his sandwich.
This is real and human. Whoever you are...this writing is quite intriguing.
j.

[Lara]

Thank you, j.

(I know you know who I am. You've reviewed me way back when I was 'pedals', I'm sure...)

[Curly Grace]

a striking piece of narrative poetry that blends gritty realism with tender empathy. I can picture Dan. You really set the scene.

[Lorry]

Now, if you want to hear what your words soundlike, go to YouTube and type in Deacon Blue, dignity.
It was a massive hit here in Scotland in the eighties and from your first verse I was hearing iy play along.
It's all about a working class guy trying to save up and get out the rut he's in by buying a boat and sailing away to a bright new future.
Ps..warning 1... it is as catchy as he'll.
Pps warning 2... the line "so he packs his lunch in a sunblest bag" refers to the bag the sunburst loaf of breadwas wrapped in"!
😃

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Fantastic write. You put me there with your descriptions, Very well done. F.

[red93]

Fabulous Lara, how you give us the atmosphere of a whole nation in these lines - and the guy Dan, an 'Everyman' figure if ever there was one. Really Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Vol]

Lara,
Wen it comes to some things, I am set in my ways. For example, I despise Academic Poetry, but it has to be literature... as in this poem. It's like a hearty stew with all the ingredients and some exotic ones too. I mean, I'm going to have to save a copy of this one for regular reference. (sorry if I ramble) Every stanza is like a short alley off the main square, each with its own sounds and smells, all delicious and interesting so I want to stay awhile and enjoy. Your imagery is like the Elves "Limbas" each bite a full meal. All right, all right! I know... but excellence always does that to me, "WOW! Guys, I've met this poet online... No, You don't get it! Two hundred years ago she'd already be famous! I want to get to know more!! WOW
Vol

[Lara]

Hi Vol.
Thank you for visiting. (and generous encouragement). I am heartened greatly 🙏read moreHi Vol.
Thank you for visiting. (and generous encouragement). I am heartened greatly 🙏

(Btw: I used to skip school to read books, too 😉. And I'd do it again if time were revised)
God bless.

[Vol]

Lara,
I'm curious about your environment... your people, do they know how deep and wide your poetry? When I lived in Nashville with its highly educated core of universities and colleges, there were readings and gatherings and coteries of friends (something I miss). What ever we did was always followed by food and libations at nearby diners, and pubs...
And I know I get effusive sometimes (rarely) when I meet someone who is better at something I'm pretty good at, go overboard, I don't mean to put you off... but I've known a lot of great poets, but none quite up to your standard...
Vol