THE FISHERMEN

I saw the ships sail off into the sun

They left the harbor one by one

And by mid-morn they had all gone

And made little dots out yonder

I do not know how the midday catch went

Probably good, 'cause they kept at it

But just as they were returning

the wind tore in from nowhere

the clouds they blackened up the sky

the little boats they had to try

to run a headlong race with death

for want of love and life

they came, they came pulled by cries in rain

but the sea swept them backwards

they fought with all their wits and strength

but yet again the old girl sucked them in

so it went until she tired of her toying

she smashed them up, toppled them over

and for them it was the end

except one soul found on the beach

when at last the storm departed

that old man staring out at sea

never talking, always staring

at the little dots out yonder.