SONGS AND POEMS

RENEWING OUR VOWS - #1

Before bed he makes the coffee, so it will be easy to turn on in the morning.

In the morning she casts off the bow line, steps onto the boat, and frees the stern as they leave the dock for the day’s trip.

During the day’s trip he guides the trawler around branches and into deep water, so they arrive at a safe place for the evening.

In the evening she makes dinner at the tiny three burner stove, and they review weather and plans for the morning.

They separate - he plays bridge and she reads - before bed.

Renewing our Vows #2

Every time they return to the boat after a break.

Every time they study the weather forecast.

Every time they cast off lines.

Every time they smile with pride.

I want to celebrate birds:  Water birds, shore birds, birds of prey.
Birds with particular colors and sounds and talents.
Roseate Spoonbill - the prettiest bird I have ever seen in the wild, flying over
Aunt Aggie on a grey day, pink against the sky. 
A large grey beaked older gent standing at the end of our dock this morning.
I never could figure out who he is.  He let me get close, ignoring me, dignified.
Then white ibis in a flock near the pond as I walked to town.  White feathers, red beaks and legs.
Fancy ladies picking up bugs for brunch.
Brown pelicans dive bomb fish in the waters behind the boat. 
How do they crash so loudly without getting hurt? 
Show offs.
White pelicans mixed in on the river a few days ago, looking special.
Marveling at the richness of birds,
we return from an afternoon walk, and a pair of ospreys fly off
sailboat masts across the way.  They have a loud, peeping sound
that sounds oddly cheery for a bird of prey.
Rich with fowl.
(February 25, 2015)


The Locksology
(Sung to the tune of the Doxology.  Please sing with gusto.)

Praise lockmaster who rules on high.
He locks us through and says good-bye.
Praise to the tow who lets us pass
And doesn't follow on our ass.

Praise to the azure sky above
And to the river that we love.
The sun is warm; the wind is calm,
And here's to gin, our nightly balm.

And so we cover 60 miles.
Our day is not without its trials.
We fondly recollect your smiles.
We'll add your boat card to our files.
(October 30, 2014)


Good-bye to the Tombigbee River

Good-bye to brown water under our hull.
So long to trees growing right to the edge.
Farewell to piles of logs on the banks.
Thank you, herons, egrets, and eagles, silent alligator, shy turtles, and swimming squirrel.
We passed through your watery kingdom, just visiting.
(November 2, 2014)


An Ode to the Fish

Oh, flaunting fish,
Who flipped me off.
You splash and jump so near my line.
Not even the Demopolis worm can entice you.
Catfish, brim, the occasional bass, 
Here you live.  We only pass.
(November 2, 2014)