The Old Salts of The Sea

my grandfather

Down to the docks, the old salts go

Gear in hand, waiting to stow

With creased and weather worn face

Off to a familiar but far away place

Heaving the lines, raising up the sail

Off they will go, long as the wind doesn't fail

The ocean it calls, the waves to fight, fish to get

They've been lucky this year, haven’t lost a man yet.

They hold the ocean in quiet respect, and they take care

Seen sights that only you could, if you also went there

Watching the whales, and dolphins, swimming with a grace

Even now, it brings looks of awe and smiles to their face.

Finally arriving, the dories go out for the day

The swell is large, the dories do sway

The lines are all set, with bait from their store

Wind dying down, who could ask for anything more.

Now they lead out the trawl lines, baited and hooked

The bouys were untied, thank goodness someone looked.

Starting over, taking care that all is right

They will be on the water all day until night.

The catch is now hauled to the box in their boat

It has been a good haul, to their mates they can gloat

Back onboard the mother ship now for a snack

Grab some rest, tomorrow they have to go back.

*The first pic in this post is of my grandfather on the deck of BluenoseII in 1963. He was a rigger, and did most of the rigging on her. He also placed a silver dollar under her mast, it was for good luck. *