I'm wandering by

I’m wandering by and stroll after colours

the weathered ones of the fishing vessel

and the shiny white of the yacht at the landing-stage

flags and pennants from everywhere blowing

a man with a pipe between his nets

plugs and stopples the holes

patching up for later on the water

the smoke of tobacco that mingles

with the brackish smells on the jetty                                          

seagulls dive low over the pier

and skim almost the with clams

overgrown mooring-posts

shouting at each other and the incoming ships

the wind strikes full in the sails

it’s time for raking and hoisting

while between the old barques

a little canoe glides away

into the open sea.

© Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere

18/10/2014