Mary, at Poetry Jam, put up
the prompt ‘A Bird’s Eye View’.
The Trawler.
Old, ugly, lumbering.
The trawler drags its nets
Over already fished waters,
In search of yet smaller fish.
Above, the gulls circle,
Watching, crying indignantly.
The catch is mixed:
Fish, certainly, of various sizes,
Old bottles that once held perfume
Or wines from the sunny hills
Or perhaps letters from the marooned.
Above, the gulls circle,
Watching, crying indignantly.
Plastic, less endearing,
Old netting, bits of ships,
Lost and long forgotten.
Flotsam and jetsam.
Like all vessels of this type
It smells.
Above, the gulls circle,
Watching, crying indignantly.
.
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© J Cosmo Newbery 2013
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Gulls you either love them or hate them, but you can't ignore them. Perhaps life is more like a trawler than an ocean cruise. Great writing.
ReplyDeleteSmell? These vessels stink! No wonder the gulls are indignant.
ReplyDeleteThere is something sinister about the trawler as if it is a menacing force, collecting flotsam and jetsam in its path with the smell of dead fish and putrescense. A bleak scene but brilliantly penned imagery.Well done!
ReplyDeletePoignant, evocative. Really nicely done.
ReplyDeleteThe gulls see everything, and they definitely have reason to be indignant. Enjoyed the gull's eye view.
ReplyDeleteoh yeah they got the smell going on...and its not an easy life either...they catch what it left, you make it easy to see though...
ReplyDeleteGreat capture... and yes, I can smell it!
ReplyDeleteWonderful write J. I can see and smell the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteThose nets make me think of the dolphins and other creatures that get tangled and harvested along with the fish.......good write, kiddo. I could almost smell the sea......
ReplyDeleteI'm with Ms. Poet Laundry ... you captured the entire scene for us with wonderful poetry. A treat for the senses (no matter the smell.)
ReplyDeleteInk from sea-water, JCN - you filled your pen with it. Enjoyed this. ~ M
ReplyDelete...not an easy day... gathering leftovers for double killing process... ha, what if fish not of fishes but rather fish the birds that kill a living to create a living... smiles...
ReplyDeleteYes the ever-present gulls and their indignant cries. Escellent capture of this scene--I can smell the salty air.
ReplyDeleteYou captured so much in this poem--fisherman's life, the eco-crises from overfishing and the gull commentary on everything. If you saw "Finding Nemo" it made me think of how they voiced the gulls--"Mine, mine, mine" perfect :-)
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