Addicted To the Sea

The waves were lightly lapping at the rocks upon the shore As I prepared to disengage the boat I’ve always loved. With tackle box and fishing poles tucked neatly in the hull, I pulled the slipknot briskly, and then very gently shoved. Always leaving early, while the sun was fairly low, As tourists stood in line to rent their rigs and buy their bait, Like a thousand times before, when heading out to sea, I knew that there was nothing worse than gettin’ started late. As I drifted slowly from the old and weathered dock, Through cool and misty breezes that were nippin’ at my neck, I could see the marlin I had conquered as a child, Breachin’ there, before me…as I moved around the deck. I have been a fisherman for more than forty years, And breathed the sea’s addictive briny scent for all my life. This is where my mom and dad were born…and both their folks… And this is where I went to school…and where I met my wife. I have made the only choice for me…and, yes, it’s true… I’ve walked the road my father did…and - carried on with pride. My dad started fishin’ with his, and…just the same as me… Fished with his - as - I with mine….until the day he died. And though a seaman’s life is often filled with lonely days Because he spends the better part of every month at sea… I can’t think of any other life I’d rather live… And I can’t think of any other place I’d rather be. PS: I've now got 4 new Audio-CDs - @ 4 1/2 hours each = (62 diversely varied pieces). They’re listed on EBAY - under - “Mark Stellinga Poetry” - or available by simply contacting me at -- mark@writerofbooks.com -- should those of you who enjoy listening to poems as well as reading them - and particularly those of you that travel - care to be so entertained. (We use safe and simple - PayPal) Cheers, Mark