painting by Jennifer Branch.
Dry Dock
“The hardest work begins in dry dock.”
--Sam Wineberg.
I am like
an old ship;
a tug boat.
Once a year
I have to go
into dry dock,
be hooked up
to chains and winches,
as they careen me
over starboard
in order to clean
the barnacles off me
and repair
my bottom.
Glenn Buttkus
Quadrille
Posted over at d'Verse Poet's Pub
18 comments:
Brought a laugh. But also a metaphor for general human old age. The indignity of it all.
Ah.....somehow I can see barnacles related to you, dear Glenn....but also tumble weed from the days of Buck. So glad you to see you here.....love the use of the word here...you made me smile but I do NOT see you as an old boat/ship rather more like Old Ironsides! :) Strong and still sturdy, still serving so well. Have you seen her here in Boston?
This brings back some memories of the summer I worked on a shipyard and had to go into the cooling water inlets of tug boats to clean them from barnacles. Did you know that they are huge (and very narrow) in tugboats?
It was not a drydock though, it was a floating dock.
LIL: Never been to Bean Town, but I do appreciate your complimentary analogy. Buck will have some incredible episodes coming up.
Brought a huge smile to my face Glenn- well done!
Artfully composed
oy VEY!
-David
This is wonderfully composed, Glenn! Like Lillian, I also do not consider you to be an old boat/ship. Not at all rather I'd say you are timeless and offer much inspiration to people like me. Love the use of careen here. Shine on 💝💝
Several offerings from those of careening into old age! Although it's less a careen than a lumber, I have to say.
This made me smile--and also wince a bit. As we get older, I suppose there are more dry dock moments.
Nice on Glen. We are all in nedd of repair from time to time.
Thanks for dropping by to read mine
Much💛love
Ha! Been there, done that. Cool quad, Mr B.
Quote and metaphor are on point Glenn. I think we can all relate but you played it with touch of humor.
Haha! Spa days are great! Whatever it takes to keep chugging! ⛵
Nice work for a drydocked poet! Please come and visit me, share your likes and your truth! Would love to have you brother!
I loved the imagery with the possibilities for multiple interpretations.
I love the acerbic tongue-in-cheek humor, Glenn. Bravo
Glenn, my laugh for today, the rest of the month! Barnacles indeed. I like mine.
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