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Boot Leggings

At the wharf I donned the Wellington boots
Of the fisher deceased, to trace my roots
And see and feel what it was like at sea
For my uncle a fishing devotee.

The clammy boots were three sizes too large.
I kidded myself that I could take charge,
And fill the boots with fishers' gait and guts
Aware the concept was deluded, nuts.

I felt the lure of expectation loom
As the trawler 'Gen' breached to break dawn's gloom
I embraced the hope of a bumper haul
Of keeper fish, not tiddlers, way too small.

I felt the surge of waves tug at the boots,
Like tentacles dragging against the roots
Which held my soles fast on the slimy deck.
The sea incessant for another wreck.

I felt fish guts, innards, blood and gore,
Slather on boots as fish were brought ashore,
And unloaded in bins brimful with ice.
At days end, bootlegging was hard but nice.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Alex Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 10:17 PM
"bootlegging was hard but nice" - Great writing. Congratulations!
Anderson Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 11:09 PM
Thanks a lot. Cheers
Roper Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 12:11 PM
Thank you for your wonderful poem for the contest. Congratulations on your win, John . Eve
Anderson Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 12:18 PM
Thanks a lot. Cheers
Poet Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 6:26 AM
John, Congratulations on your win, which is truly deserved, as your poem is a masterpiece crafted with such exquisite precision and beauty.
Anderson Avatar
August 28, 2023 at 9:31 AM
Thanks very much for your kind comments and feedback. All the best and Cheers!
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