Monday, November 1, 2021

Dry Dock



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

at

18 comments:

  1. Petru J ViljoenNovember 1, 2021 at 12:48 PM

    Brought a laugh. But also a metaphor for general human old age. The indignity of it all.

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  2. lillianthehomepoet.wordpress.comNovember 1, 2021 at 12:51 PM

    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?

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  3. brudbergNovember 1, 2021 at 1:03 PM

    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.

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  4. Glenn ButtkusNovember 1, 2021 at 1:04 PM

    LIL: Never been to Bean Town, but I do appreciate your complimentary analogy. Buck will have some incredible episodes coming up.

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  5. Linda Lee LybergNovember 1, 2021 at 1:16 PM

    Brought a huge smile to my face Glenn- well done!

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  6. Ron RowlandNovember 1, 2021 at 1:26 PM

    Artfully composed

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  7. ben AlexanderNovember 1, 2021 at 1:31 PM

    oy VEY!

    -David

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  8. Sanaa RizviNovember 1, 2021 at 2:05 PM

    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 💝💝

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  9. AlexandraNovember 1, 2021 at 2:38 PM

    Several offerings from those of careening into old age! Although it's less a careen than a lumber, I have to say.

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  10. Merril D. SmithNovember 1, 2021 at 2:58 PM

    This made me smile--and also wince a bit. As we get older, I suppose there are more dry dock moments.

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  11. Gillena CoxNovember 1, 2021 at 3:04 PM

    Nice on Glen. We are all in nedd of repair from time to time.

    Thanks for dropping by to read mine

    Much💛love

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  12. Ron. LavaletteNovember 1, 2021 at 4:39 PM

    Ha! Been there, done that. Cool quad, Mr B.

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  13. GraceNovember 1, 2021 at 5:21 PM

    Quote and metaphor are on point Glenn. I think we can all relate but you played it with touch of humor.

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  14. TriciaNovember 1, 2021 at 8:08 PM

    Haha! Spa days are great! Whatever it takes to keep chugging! ⛵

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  15. robkistnerNovember 2, 2021 at 2:09 AM

    Nice work for a drydocked poet! Please come and visit me, share your likes and your truth! Would love to have you brother!

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  16. Kathryn LeRoyNovember 2, 2021 at 6:45 AM

    I loved the imagery with the possibilities for multiple interpretations.

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  17. indybevNovember 2, 2021 at 8:00 AM

    I love the acerbic tongue-in-cheek humor, Glenn. Bravo

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  18. HelenNovember 2, 2021 at 10:10 AM

    Glenn, my laugh for today, the rest of the month! Barnacles indeed. I like mine.

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