Yellow Mama E zine

THE FISHERMEN

by John Grey

 

They burst in on my sleep, a crowd of fellow men,

their nightmare interrupting my dream,

rough voices, foghorn sneezes,

with real foghorns for accompaniment:

old tars in oilskins, some long in their graves,

others newly missing,

tramping or chugging motors through the veils of salt.

Yes, some on foot, some steering their rickety jalopies,

following their lights to the docks,

their ears to the throb of winch engines,

avoiding the drunk in the gutter,

the howl of coyotes in the hills.

They’re old hands at disturbing the morning peace,

stealing the soft wash of water on gravel,

replacing it with heavy boots, hard breath, ancient autos,

anything to erase the comfort of those who dig in their heels,

do anything to remain safely ashore.

There’s a statue in the square, a chiseled tribute

to lives lost at sea—but it’s not enough

according to the restless hour before the dawn.

A sculpture merely means many men emptying their pockets.

But for souls to be emptied out,

the dead must put to sea.

 

         John Grey is an Australian poet, U.S. resident, recently published in Midnight Mind, Novus, and Calliope. Latest books, Bittersweet, Subject Matters, and Between Two Fires, are available through Amazon. Work upcoming in Levitate, White Wall Review, and Willow Review.

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       Bernice Holtzman’s paintings and collages have appeared in shows at various venues in Manhattan, including the Back Fence in Greenwich Village, the Producer’s Club, the Black Door Gallery on W. 26th St., and one other place she can’t remember, but it was in a basement, and she was well received. She is the Assistant Art Director for Yellow Mama.