To Work by Boat

Taking the boat to work
is an odd
and wonderful thing

There was a time
when I travelled across a harbour
at six
each day
in a small rowing boat

I don’t recall
the old fella’s name
but for 50p
he would take me west
moving methodically
with a steady silence

each stroke reassuring
in the dark water

Most mornings
I was half asleep
and alone
a summer job in Looe,
Cornwall

it was a an abundant season
a girl had taken me there
and I was turning twenty one
fresh graduate high
on the harbour

There was also a local
Sea lion
who would frequent the fishing
drop off point

I don’t recall
the old seal’s name
but it had one eye
and often raised its nose
above the humps of blue
with a steady silence

in fact
everyone and everything existed
in that place
in calm

most of the time
the only noise
was the faint lapping of waves
and the gentle clank
of rope
and oar