"The Port" by James Bratton

tall-mastered trawlers swarm with

leathery scaly wags gathered to hunt

the great blue-backed lobster

they leave the rocky coast behind

and travel to the salty waves

their backs are burdened with wool sweaters

and their own yellow shells

their senses with nauseous scents

that no longer register with the hardened hands

their faces with scars of storms past

and prickly grey beards

their minds with lives lost

and forgotten friends

they turn their backs to the shore

their faces to the winds