Harbour Nights

At dawn the sky brewed dismal grey,

relentless rain moved in to stay,

all day the heavens wept with grief.

From terraced tiers my eyes glance down

through window glass I view this town

by night festooned in fairy lights.

Returning home are fishing boats,

while anchored craft are now afloat,

high tide within old harbour walls.

All Brixham's jewels are on display,

in witching hours a grand array,

this inner basin sparkles bright.

Without a doubt, at dark this place

brings forth a smile upon my face

out come the ghosts of ages past.

Reviews

[Jibey]

Brixham is certainly a busy fishing village - though I guess less busy that it once was. I used to live further east along the Devon coast and the fishing boats were registered in Brixham. I have a feeling that the place probably looks better at night than in the cold light of a grey day - and you capture the magic of the dark hours in this pleasingly reflecting poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jibey. I am very fond of Brixham, but have to agree with you. At night it becomes magical with a great sense of history. I can very easily look out on the harbour at nightfall for hours. Love it at its twinkly best.

Thank you for your visit.
Chris

[kentuck14]

Another fine poem that puts you there! Reminds me of a visit to Cape Cod many years ago.
T

[Chris Shaw]

You are spoiling me with your visits today Tom. Have to say a huge thank you for all the reads.
read moreYou are spoiling me with your visits today Tom. Have to say a huge thank you for all the reads.

Chris

[Gee]

Sound like a beautiful place, might grab me a glass of Malbec and come sit a while :)
luverly words Chris.
Hope you are well
C'MON ENGLAND

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Gee. Shame about the rugby. What a game. Outclassed by a very strong South Africa. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Lorry]

I dont know how i managed to miss this one Chris. Apologies.
You have painted such a wild and vivid picture with your words, that it conjured in my thoughts an image of sitting in a snug bar, brandy in hand, looking out at the scene from the warmth of skin and heart as the fluid works through your system. Then you notice a picturehanging on the wall that matches the image you see through the window. Slightly different, but enough to know that someone else once sat where you sit, painting his or her own poetry on canvas.

[Chris Shaw]

No kidding. Earlier that day we were having a meal in the harbour and I couldn't take my eyes off a large picture of the view from where I was sitting a hundred years before. You must be picking up my vibes. How weird is that? The brandy sounds better though than the fish and chips:)) Thanks Lorry

Chris

[Gerald Parker]

Amazing how the imagination works best at night contemplating such a scene especially when it's had a history. I don't know Brixham but your poem conjures up other fishing ports I have visited. Gerald

[Chris Shaw]

Brixham is delightful, especially at night Gerald. Then it becomes magical. Thank you so much for your review.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

A perfect settings for times and folks from the past to emerge as ghosts ..... memories recent and ancient coming together

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Stella. Yes, Brixham is fine by day, but for me it comes alive at night. That's when I love it most, when I sit and look out on those twinkling lights while everyone else sleeps. Lovely to see you again. Have a great day and many thanks for calling in on this one.

Chris

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

We all have those special; places that bring us comforting memories.
Love your vivd descriptions putting the read right in the middle of the scene.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your thought on this read Dale. Always good to have a visit from you.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

What a simply magical poem inviting the ambiance for the reader to bask in. I could almost smell the seawater. Delightful.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Fabian. What a delightful photo of you with that gorgeous little lady.. Ay thank yous for your very encouraging review. Good to see you.

Chris

[alanwgraham]

I like how understated this poem is Chris. In a short span your well chosen words paint a vivid picture of this harbour. Mostly we can enjoy the scene but you hint at the drama and disaster part and parcel of work dependant on weather and wave. As always you make it look easy!
All the best.
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Alan for your visit and for sharing your thoughts. Happy to receive them. All the best to you.

Chris

[Dave]

Like me you must have or do live very close to the sea. It is so easy to see in the pictures you "paint" with your words. I too can recall, watching late in the afternoon, the boats that left early in the day to fish off the coast The smells even of the fresh catch and my mother sending me to the market to buy some.
Ohhhh Chris - the fond memories you bring back.

Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Dave, I am so delighted that this little write brought back so many fond memories. I do indeed love the sea. I live near a river, but do manage to visit the coast several times a year. Very fond of Brixham I am. Your reviews are always so generous and I thank you for your valued support.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris - your writing makes it so easy to be, as you put it, so generous.
Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you :))

[lightsong]

I told You before, when it comes to painting with words, painting the scenes, the landscapes, when it comes to the expressions You are the best, You do it smoothly and with a soft magical touch that letting us feel it as if we were there with You, just like here dear Chris, another wonderful and delightful read.

[Chris Shaw]

You are always so generous with your reslk ses dear Light. Lovely to have a visit from you.

Chris