Question

how many return tides over a
lifetime of a local fisherman

have licked cobbled stones clean
on a slipway’s slippery incline

wet now with glisten in monotonous
Monday morning rain

drip drip dripping and spilling
from guttering on to pavement people

who pass by where mute swans drink
freshwater from floors of small craft

bob bob bobbing and swaying to the
tune of grey misty days

while the basin fills to brimful and
green slime is briefly hidden

from the harbour’s lower walls
drowning in salt sea history

Reviews

[M]

Sounds like the kind of cold, wet, grey day that Britain is sometimes known for, the kind where it's best to stay inside and keep dry and curl up with a good book. I understand that monotonous scenery; it gets like that here in Bishkek through most of winter where almost everything is grey or white. Your use of repetition gives us a sense of that monotonous, almost boring view. Perfect weather for the swans, though. A poem jam packed with keen observations and images, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Not holiday weather Makhabat. Plenty to see though through a window. Swans love the rain. Many thank yous for stopping by to review.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris… living by the Sea .. we are guaranteed to be comforted by the Serenity of Swans as they float in Symphonies of Longevity… we spread our Wings and sing 🎶 Claire de Lune ‘til Spring flowers fall on Streams of Summer Dreams… Wishing you always Love. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Your beautiful review is so poetic Pat. Thanking you dear friend. Sending love across the waves. read moreYour beautiful review is so poetic Pat. Thanking you dear friend. Sending love across the waves.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

The life of a fisherman. Ain't a easy life dear Chris. I watch the Alaska fishermen TV show. It is hard work and you must be strong and hard. I enjoyed the poetry. When I was young. I hated fishing with my father. Now I love to go fishing with my grandchildren. Thank you dear friend for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right Coyote. They have a hard life earning a crust. Many thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Chris.

[Ken Simm.]

I think there is enough of the visual here for me to paint. A write full of atmosphere and the truths of looking.

[Chris Shaw]

As I try and get as much imagery in as possible, that is a huge compliment Ken. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Maybe fifty thousand? It's too early for me to be doing math. (smile) I enjoyed the read. Swans are pretty but so territorial. I had a big cob puff up his chest at him and charge me, hissing like an angry cat. His pen had cygnets nearby. But I wasn't bothering his brood. I was just fishing. So I charged him right back, arms outspread doing my best grizzly bear impersonation. He stopped and turned, quite dignified, and walked slowly away. I'll bet he was thinking...that human is crazy. Which was my intention. Never be bullied by big bird. lol

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Fabian for sharing your swan experience. I didn’t do the maths either. My thoughts just wandered there in the rain. Yes, swans are territorial and you need to stay well away from their young. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[Wondering Mind]

Loved the imagery, and the alliteration ( a personal poetic fetish of mine)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you. Pleased you noticed the alliteration as well as the imagery. Pleased you stopped by.
read moreThank you. Pleased you noticed the alliteration as well as the imagery. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[DIVYA]

Countless tides, sunrises and sunsets...Time flies and stops for no one and the tides will ebb and recede till the laws of the sea hold now more. This is such a beautiful sketch of a rainy Monday morning of the harbor. So picturesque with the mute swans on a grey, misty day and the ever lapping sea water. Thank you for taking me there with you. It was so good to read.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much divya for your thoughtful review. Pleased you enjoyed the description of the first day of our holiday:) It hasn’t improved. Still wet and windy .

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Sounds like the replay of a scene that has been seen in coastal towns many times over the years. If I were in the chamber of commerce, though, I'd play up the swans and shove the green slime into the background.

[Chris Shaw]

Ha! I think you might be right :) Not particularly wanting to promote the place. That might mean it gets overcrowded with less places to stay:) Thanks for stopping by John.

Chris

[Lorry]

Ah, those cobble stones, that have somehow in certain places made it through to the millennium, despite the slightest hint of moisture, or eve worse frost, and Wheech! Down you go, arse over tit, and oh my how comfortable that landing is!
They're all over Glasgow West end and they are even putting them in to those cool and hip, up and coming places like merchant City, where they charge you thrice the price for a pint that will end up in casualty, without a doubt.
Sometimes I think that to qualify in city planning, you must first exhibit all the qualities of an average Mr Bean episode!
Thank you for starting my midweek rant early Chris. Now, I'm off to lay some cobbles in the path of the git that made me wait in all day for a morning appointment, to tile my bathroom floor, only to call at 4.30 to say he'll not be able to make it until tomorrow!
I told him if he ain't here and done by the end of morning, he can shove his bill somewhere uncomfortable and he certainly won't be getting the door answered. Grr! 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Has he turned up yet? Isn’t that bloomin annoying when you have taken a day off and no one turns up to do the work. The cobblestones are still looking wet today. Pouring with rain and windy. Lovely holiday weather:) Thanks Lorry.

Chris

[Lorry]

He didn't turn up the next day either, so I told them to shove their bill where the sun don't shine. Have made a new appointment with someone recommended as trustworthy.
I also give the first lot a one star rating and left a DO NOT TRUST THESE LIARS review 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, a one star rating. Probably more than they deserved. Good luck with the next appointment.

[red93]

Ah the smell of the Sea. I've never been to Brixham Chris but I have been to neighbouring Torquay. The West Country at its best ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Prefer Brixham, but I visit Torquay frequently as I have relatives there Tony. Absolutely love staying in the cottages surrounding the harbour. Many thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[willweb]

Sounds to me like something you have seen lately and the memories it has sparked. Happy to see you were able to post my friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks will. Yesterday’s writing. Used my husband!s phone to post it. Mine wasn’t playing ball. Pleased you called.

Chris