Gloucester

.

Gloucester

across the bay i can see the town
a mountainous peaked silhouette
       always moving
as it has done for the last 400 years

a town of fishermen
       graying beards and torn nets
       pealing paint and shining scales
a town of Mom & Pop stores
       where everyone knows your name
       and store credit surpasses generations

silent seaside village
       each day repeating
       as forefathers
       and their fathers before
have always done

returning to the ocean
for love
       and survival
to once again be at the mercy of the waves
to feel the fresh salt breezes
       renewing a passion
       centuries in mastering

and on cold winter days
they sit silent
eyes cast outward to the sea
       smoke rising from their lips
       and from their chimneys
while they wait for spring
       life renewing cycle
when they once again return
       unbidden
       and yet bound
by love and by tradition
       to the ocean beyond





august 14, 2002
3:34 pm