Fillin' In

 A tear bubbled and bled 

To run warm then cold in the keening wind

Hands too busily working in stinking bait gloves 

Were of no use as cheeks reddened in frozen feeling 

The pitching and yaw of the hauled in boat added to the stress

The traps had to be emptied and filled 

The sea was not cooperating

 No words were said

 None were needed

 His eyes said it all 

No matter that he'd run up on the weather side 

God forbid he'd err at all 

This was a minor squall 

Finally the traps were done and run out

 At least he did that into the weather 

Or as close as he could 

They had to run North to South 

No matter where they were

 Huddled in out of the wind 

Hands free to wipe streaming nostrils 

On wet cold jeans then 

Suck down the thermos of hot buttered rum 

She wondered if anyone ever thought

 Of where lobster came from

Reviews

[Narnie]

Sheeesh, I could listen to your voice all day. This has such huge movement in it Donald - and when he wipes his nostrils, you again remind us how unpretentious and accessible your poetry is, whilst being expertly crafted. You are genuinely one of my favourite poets (and I don't have many, haha)

[Sel Whiteley]

That's incredible. It really makes you think. It really increases the reader's empathy and gives the epiphany so central to poetry. Like so many of your poems about the sea, this is filmic with a lyrical intensity, you are the William Turner of poetry.

[Helen Crutchett]

This is a classic indeed. Gosh we have some amazing poets here at W.C. and you are no exception, in fact I rate you right up there with the other 'bards'. Nice work, I love these kind of poems....so real to life with gorgeous description.

[An Ordinary Woman]

as always Mr Donald I muchly admire your story telling qualities. It's a poem I know sort of like prose? Regardless yours are always a delight.

I don't know much about fishing, know even less about lobster...lol but this poem carried me out to the cold sea and I enjoyed the journey.

[Brittany]

This was great. Your words painted such a vivid picture for me and I like your voice. But I'm confused...the narrator guy or girl? Well done.