Charles Pierre. 2009. By Marcella Kerr.
Hi Paul,
Greetings from Manhattan. At this time of year, as temperatures warm along the coast, one can see sailboats being moved from winter storage on land to their berths at marinas. And as the wind picks up, one can hear their rigging striking the masts. Here is the poem “Tuning Forks,” from my 2008 collection, Father of Water.
Best wishes,
Charles Pierre
St. Thomas, USVI. Paul Goldfinger photo. ©
Tuning Forks
It is past midnight, and the sailboats
float side by side at a sheltered marina,
in stillness so complete that not even
a lapping against the hulls can be heard.
Yet high above the water, at the tops
of the mastheads, the rigging of each craft
starts to ring aloud in a rising wind,
the ropes and cables striking the masts,
sounding possible routes to new lands.
The musical tones, in random clusters,
sailing out from the crowded harbor
toward an uncharted ocean of dark.
JESSICA MOLASKEY with Stephen Foster’s “Beautiful Dreamer.” From Jessica’s album Pentimento
Charles: Wonderful poem which recreates visuals and has an intrinsic soundtrack. I love those sounds which you describe and which are ever present around boats in a marina. The soft clanging and gentle ringing create melodies, and they are really soothing, especially when coupled with the rocking of the boats.
Then you get the flapping sounds of flags and the “lapping ” as you say, of the water against the sides. It’s like a musical ensemble with a variety of instruments. I like the addition of soft music in the distance and even the sounds of people speaking. And then there is the sound of the wind.
If you are near a boat harbor, and it’s night, those sounds are better than Ambien.
Thanks for that treat. Paul