Lobsters

From the kitchen, the unmistakable whistle 

of a crustacean being returned 

to the water, perforates the ear like a row 

of cherries rolling a line of Vegas showgirls

through the buffet just before Celine Dion 

takes the stage. Heaven or Hell … 

And suddenly, one-minded as Pavlov’s pup, 

my concentration will go no further 

than the need for a bib. When you have nothing 

more to see, been round the peninsula 

all day, the urge for getting off land 

becomes an overriding obsession to surf … 

We had come east, to the Atlantic, 

in need of a little down home

hospitality, recalibration of senses,

a break from the steady diet of noodles 

and foie gras, the endless rage 

of sirens, and horns, acne scarred pistoleers 

raised on the Call of Duty. Two weeks 

to forget, uncouple from the clanging 

clatter of flagpoles being snapped to attention. 

And there we were, lit in the reflection 

of a disappearing sun’s waltzing wave, 

ready to tuck in to the guilty pleasure 

of the good life. In the lull of expectation 

I gazed across the bay, to her sweet smile, 

the shared anticipation of this night’s meal 

ending in murmured sighs of stomachs 

being rubbed, a soft sea-breeze serenade 

as we drifted off to sleep.

Ken e Bujold

Reviews

[Olita Tupou]

very vivid description of the poor crustacean fate and destiny. Thank you for sharing some experience of Canada life through your writing, it is inspiring

[Laz K.]

i appreciate this write, because too often people are satisfied with just filling the stomach, being comfortable and relaxed. Of course, these are enjoyable sensations, but we do have another part of us that needs to be fed, too: the invisible, the spiritual, the inner - call it what you will. So, having a wonderful time on a vacation becomes complete when it is reflected on, and is "digested" by the soul - like it is done here in this poem.

[Stuart Munro]

Ken , Grand Poetry , mind escape , tho I don’t like lobsters treatment for meals , but I like eating them
When I did , Celine Dion pops into the scene , a bit of surfing , it’s got it all , to spread the viewers mind

[Betty Hermelee]

lovely images, not of lobsters or flag poles but of the sea, the good life after an army stint or other....sweet smiles, nicely full stomachs of lobster, which by the way is one of my FAV'S to eat, and lobster rolls as well...I guess you got really tired of foie Gras and the sirens of the city....welcome to peace and good down home food at long last....
Best, B

[Ken e Bujold]

just a short reviving of the soul Betty. Still a big city fella. This one comes from trip M & I made to Halifax and coast of NS. I had more than my fair share of down-home east coast rural hospitality as a kid. The peeps are great, the vistas marvelous, but the pace of life ... snails up here inch faster than they do LOL

[Betty Hermelee]

me too, form NYC, but now live in the mountains of NC
Best, B

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“a break from the steady diet of noodles
and foie gras, the endless rage
of sirens, and horns, acne scarred pistoleers “
You freshen us with authentic city and seaside visuals in this lovely poetic vignette, Ken. Emotive words and lovely scene-setting throughout. Your title drew me in first, because lobster is my hubby’s favorite thing to eat. But I’ll take “a soft sea-breeze serenade” to top off a nautical evening every time. Wonderful write.

[Ken e Bujold]

thanks annette. i too prefer the soft seranade, the true lobster fiend in our house is my wife, who solely is responsible for them being on the edge of extinction

[Chris Shaw]

I admire your description here Ken, so original, especially in that first stanza. Heaven or hell indeed. Lobster. I have never indulged in. Somehow I think I am missing a treat. Enjoyed the read.

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

It’s always a treat to see what a professional wordsmith hammers out of the same elements I have available but with an obviously much bigger hammer.
Clanging clatter of flagpoles being snapped to attention is by itself worth the price of admission.

Winston

[Ken e Bujold]

too kind, but thanks nonetheless for the high praise. your hammer has been know to shatter many an anvil

[emmajoygreen]

A very visual flow of words journeying here to there with and without. 'And there we were, lit in the reflection- of a disappearing sun’s waltzing wave,- ready to tuck in to the guilty pleasure - of the good life.

Can imagine a voice telling those events in home or untarnished bar, someone sitting back, relaxed, remembering what had led to the moment of telling.. a sweet relief anticipated, done. Such a descriptive post, thank you so much for sharing it, Ken e Bujold