Song of the Fisherman

Song of the Fisherman

 

 

 

lobster boats head out

at sunrise

in Bar Harbor

 

sea gulls, in adept formation

gather wind songs in acappella  

as rippling waters rush against

the fiberglass hull

 

and the fisherman hums

a song as he goes,

the skilled navigator of the sea

charting maps with calloused hands   

tending traps

 

with the onset of years

and furrowed brow

he never laments

 

a better life

could ever be.

Reviews

[RomaJ]

It feels so calm and grounded, a quiet day by the sea. The image of seagulls “gathering wind songs” is beautiful, and the ending, where the fisherman never wishes for a different life; leaves you with a sense of peace and contentment. It's a quiet but profound celebration of finding joy and purpose right where you are.
Beautiful.

[Kelly Scheppers]

It surprises me at times, how my muse is inspired to write outside my wheelhouse. Nevertheless, I feel blessed for it. Thank you most kindly, Roma!

[Samuel Dickens]

Ahh, such a serene and lovely scene. The life of a simple fisherman appeals to me so much, I think I could have been one. Maybe I was one in another life. Your poetic skill puts me right there. I hope seafood is for lunch.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Any kind of seafood gets my vote for lunch! Thank you, Sam!

[Beccy]

Delightfully crafted and paints a perfect picture in the mind's eye of a way of life, that like so much of tradition and heritage is so very quickly slipping away.

Much enjoyed.

Beccy X

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you most kindly, Becky. Good to see you!

[red93]

Ah Kelly - you know how to tug the heart-strings. Every year the Sea rises, and one day, Life could be like in Kevin Costner's ill-fated epic 'Waterworld'. The Sea never lets up, and she can be a cruel Mistress. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Kelly Scheppers]

I've never written about the sea before, but I must admit, I very much enjoyed it. Thank you for the kind review, Tony!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Makes me want to venture onto the sea with this brave sailor and share in his toil. Hemingway and the Old Man come to mind.

[Kelly Scheppers]

One of my favorite movies of Spencer Tracy. Thank you for the reference, Fabian. Much appreciated!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I've an old copy of The Old Man and the Sea by The Scribner Library dated 1952, the year the novelette came out. It was $1.25 at printing.

[Lorry]

She Kelly... Don't tell anyone but I've never tried lobster. Call me an old fashioned type of guy, but I refuse to eat anything that staresat me when it's on the plate. I also don't eat jello for a similar reason, that I ain't eating anything still moving when it's on my plate, but that's a whole different trauma between me and my therapist! 😃
But the sea air and the call of the gulls reminded me of happier times when my dad and uncles took me out sea fishing, which was a great day, right up until a speedboat passed too close and the wash wobbled us all hither and thither and right, you guessed... plop, in I went. That was about the time I realised all the growed ups were too drunk as the pathetically held out their fishing rods hoping to reel me in.
I went through four therapists with that one before giving up and fooling myself optimistically into thinking "well, I still can't swim but at least I can float with the best of them!" 😃

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thanks, Lorry. I promise you, your secret's safe with me!

[Pete]

resonates strongly as i am from new england. your lovely words soften the harsh reality of many. i am caught in a trap of acceptance and making the best of every situation.

"Every important worker will report what life there is in him." - Thoreau

[Kelly Scheppers]

I am thrilled, knowing it resonated with you so strongly. Thanks, Pete!

[Ted Kniffen]

Many years ago I studied Masefield's "Sea Fever" and it turned me into a lover of salt water. I've been to Bar Harbor and any number of other fantastic little sea towns.
Your poem takes me back to those days when the sea was calling ... still does.

To paraphrase
"I must go down to the sea again
for the call of the running tide
is a wild call and a clear call
that cannot be denied."

Thanks Kelly ... a good one indeed.

[Kelly Scheppers]

A lovely interpretation, Ted. Thank you!

[Michael Sun Bear]

Reading this, I felt contentment radiating from your lovely lines. The fisherman could look back on a life well lived. They are lucky, those amongst us who find their true place in the world. Fishing is such a high risk occupation. Will this be the last trip outbound for your fisherman? I sense he is at peace with his destiny, whatever it holds. I am so happy to hear from you Kelly. Well done. MSB

[Kelly Scheppers]

I haven't thought of a possible continuation. It was pure conjecture on my part to write what I did. Thank you for your encouragement and support, Michael! Your presence is much appreciated.

[AJNJ]

So, is he resigned, content, grateful? What is he? I want more on this.

[Kelly Scheppers]

It's evidence of a well lived life. What more could there be? Thank you.