Bare Bones

Charlie used to take her out there pretty far. Most every day it seemed. Way out beyond the islands, fishing by himself.

I've seen his son too take her out. Not far but in a sea that made me stare. It seemed like every one of those big waves out off the Head would swallow up the Smoker whole. "Naw," he said when asked if he was suicidal, "Naw, just having fun."

Now most days she sits there, stripped of crew and engine, looking bold and worn, reflecting on the harbour like the queen of nowhere much.

And still the paparazzi love her so, the dear old hag, though no one wants her picture anymore.

24 October 2022
Texas Jim
Prospect, Nova Scotia
www.granitecoast.ca