The Trawlerman

As you sit down for your tea, take a moment to think of me
I am the one who leaves the quay, to bring home harvest from the sea
Lobster pot and fishing creel, Dover sole and jellied eel
Biting wind and roaring gale, I risk it all when I set sail

The quota’s nearly done for me, too many a catch thrown back to sea
The jobs-worth from the ministry, care’s nothing for my misery
Lobster pot and fishing creel, Dover sole and jellied eel
Biting wind and roaring gale, I risk it all when I set sail

The sea cares nothing for my fate, the ebbing tide will never wait 
There’s not enough to fill a crate, as I battle Neptune to fill your plate
Lobster pot and fishing creel, Dover sole and jellied eel
Biting wind and roaring gale, I risk it all when I set sail

When deep-sea fish no longer spawn, when my rusty old trawler has been withdrawn 
When fishermen are no longer born and the old Sowester’s no longer worn  
Lobster pot and fishing creel, Dover sole and jellied eel
I trawl the waves from dusk ‘til dawn; there’ll be no fish cakes when I am gone!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Brown Avatar
June 3, 2010 at 8:47 AM
Congratulations on your poetry making it through the first round Howard. I wish you the best in the finals. Love, Carol
 Avatar
May 31, 2010 at 2:11 PM
Congratulations on making it through the first round of the Poetry Soup contest with this poem. Best wishes in the finals. Karen
 Avatar
May 19, 2010 at 4:35 PM
Nice use of rhyme and imagery. Congratulations on having your poem featured. Keep that pen flowing. Karen
Fisher Avatar
May 18, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Many congrats on your featured piece this week. Rgds Janette
Brown Avatar
May 17, 2010 at 4:50 AM
Congratulations on your poetry being featured this week Howard. Love, Carol
Brown Avatar
September 16, 2009 at 5:30 AM
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt poetry with us today Howard. Excellent. Love,Carol
Kendrick Avatar
September 16, 2009 at 4:12 AM
This is beautiful, Howard. You have painted a picture here of faith and courage. This poem is a perfect Rhyme. Keep writing. Sara
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