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THE SCRATCHERS

 

 

Stars start to fade at the coming of light

Faint colours appear in the sky

A lark starts to sing for the morning sun

But a gull gives a raucous reply

 

 

Brightening skies now greet the day

As the town wakens up from it's sleep

Preparing to welcome the hunters back home

From a night spent out on the deep

 

 

Gulls start to circle and squawk overhead

Their cry sounding lost and forlorn

But a welcoming sound for those who wait

As their loved ones, return with the morn.

 

 

Far out on the distant horizon

Twinkling lights now start to appear

To a flickering dance in the dawning

Then a waltz as they draw ever near

 

 

There's an urgent beat to her engine

As the leading lights come into line

The race to be first is now over

Slowing down as she crosses the line

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The crew pull down hard on the halyard

As the derrick lifts up to the sky

The catch swings ashore in their boxes

Then laid out for someone to buy

 

Auctioneers call out the bids to the floor

Watching closely the buyers around

With a wink of an eye, or a nod of the head

Goods bought without utter or sound

 

 

Horses and carts are now lined up in rows

Patiently waiting to pick up their loads

Soon bound for places all over the land

Along highway and long dusty roads

 

 

Fish now ashore the boat now slips out

Now it's nearly the end of the chase

Load up with boxes move round to her berth

Always moored in her favourite place

 

 

With boats now replenished and ready for sea

Now the crews can head home for a sleep

Heads hit the pillow, but in no time at all

It is time to return to the deep. 

 

 

Jim Campbell