April is Poetry Month

Poetry month is a big deal in Rockland.  Some of the happenings around town have included local businesses posting poems in their store windows, local inns and hotels putting a poem on the pillow of the bed in their rooms, screening of "Louder Than a Bomb," a documentary about Chicago high school students competing in a poetry slam, and lots of readings by poets from around the state.

And... the Rockland Public Library held a poetry contest.  The theme was "landscapes".  There were 3 categories:  children, teens and adult.  I decided to enter the adult category and sent in a poem just a day or two before the deadline.  And, lo and behold, about a week ago they called and told me I had placed 2nd in the "adult" category.

So last night, I screwed up my courage, and with David's support, I went down and joined in what the library calls a "Poetry Swarm."  All the winners - about 5-6 kids in the children's category, 4 or 5 in the teen category, and 4 in the adult category -  were invited to - and most did - participate by reading the poem they had entered.  Plus - there were 3 other groups of readers, all local poets from the general area of Midcoast Maine, including the current and former Poet Laurette of Rockland (who knew?) and of Belfast.

Most of the poems were good, some were funny, and a few were very good.  I received nice compliments on my poem.  The best was from a man, one of the non-contestant readers, who came up to me after I read the poem and told me how much he really enjoyed it, and he mentioned to me that he was one of the contest judges.

So at the risk of ... well, not sure what ... but I'm going to post the poem I submitted here.  The poem:
.

      Subjunctive Mood

If it were not so early I would get out of bed and
I'd go down to the salt marsh for the day.

First I'd walk the chalky path that winds
between tall rows of spiked Spartina.

Next I'd amble on to where the heron stands
in slowly swirling water, stalking breakfast in the bay.

I might delay, stay to see long lovely limbs untangle,
dangle down beneath him in his leap from sea to sky.

Then I'd ramble on and on, pausing only long enough
to watch light wrung from day like juice from fruit,

to leave behind a slice of moon and stars like seeds
to shine beneath the milky membrane of pale clouds.

If I lingered yet then I might hear the turning tide's sigh
as it rose to ride the sea breeze on cicadas' wings.

Yes, I am sure if it had not been quite so early
I'd have spent the whole day in the salt marsh by the sea.


* * * * *

Peace.

What we're up to up here

We had a great albeit short visit with Sam and Cachao.  A long (long!) way for Sam to drive for a short visit - all power to him.  Here's a few pics:

 We took the ferry from Rockland to Vinalhaven, an island about 10 miles off shore here.  We passed the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse and I took this photo.  Later that afternoon we walked out the breakwater itself to the lighthouse.

 On Vinalhaven, we stopped to watch a channel running to the harbor where the water flowed fast!

About 1200 people live on Vinalhaven, a good number of them fish.  The lobster boats are on the water at Vinalhaven.

Now Sam and Cach are safe back home, and we're getting ready for spring here.  The weather has been beautiful - hitting around 50 during the day and bright and sunny, and not falling below freezing at night.  Come on up and visit us.  

If you're looking for a reason to get away from away and come on up to Maine?  How about one of these jobs recently listed on craigslist.com?  (I'm actually posting these as they give a flavor of what's going on around here - the business of life in midcoast Maine!)

Assistant Dockmaster (Rockland) - Rockland Landings Marina is in need of a WEEKEND DOCKMASTER to work from mid-June through mid-October. Job entails working independently, assisting sail and power boaters with all their needs dockside, selling gas, diesel, ice, some supplies, tending mooring, Taking reservations and coordinating boat slip assignments and all other duties involving marina operations. We do not provide repair service, haul-outs but can help arrange those functions with all our connections with orher technicians in the area. Additional hours and flexibility is a must. Experience and strong customer service and small boat handling skills very helpfull.  Compensation: $9.00 + OVERTIME!!!!!

Experienced Deckhand Needed (Harpswell) - Looking for an experienced deckhand on my lobster boat. Must have a drivers license, reliable transportation, and be on time everyday if not early.  Please email the following information:  Name; Age; Past Work; Location; Contact Information; Height and Weight.  If you get sea sick or car sick, this is not the job for you.

LOBSTER FACILITY LABORER (KENNEBUNK) - Maine Shellfish Lobster Division in Kennebunk is looking for self motivated, hard working individuals to join our team.  Opening on first and second shifts available.  Must be able to work weekends.  Experience with handeling of lobsters is perferred, but not neccessary.  Valid drivers license is a MUST!

Sternman for Lobster Boat in Harpswell - Sternman wanted for lobster boat in South Harpswell. Must be a non-smoking, responsible hard worker with driver's license and vehicle for 4 day work week. Please respond with ALL of the following information: Name, contact phone number, age, location, past job experience, and available start date. Must be able to lift 50+ lbs. Please do not respond if you do not live within 30 minutes of South Harpswell, don't meet the requirements listed or are not providing ALL of the above requested info in your response.  Compensation: Pay is share based.

* * * * *

What do you say?  Do you get sea sick?  I don't...

Peace.

My guys drive 1000+ miles to visit

More soon.

And here comes April...

Spring is doing it best to spring, but this morning - April 7th - it's in the 20's here.  It will warm up more during the day, I'm sure.  You can tell people are ready for Spring.  In the low 40's, with a wind making it feel colder, you see young people (and some not so young) out in t-shirts.  Brrr.

This will be a short post.  I'm looking forward to a visit from my son and older grandson, who are on their way, driving up from Atlanta.  They should arrive late this afternoon or early evening, and I have some cleaning up to do.

Yesterday I refilled the bird feeders.  Hungry little suckers.  Saw a Northern Cardinal singing high up on a bare tree branch this morning on the walk with Ella.

Another sign of spring - they have taken the tarp off the schooner they pulled up on dry dock down at Ulmer's point.  I guess they're fitting her out.  Shouldn't be long until she's on the water.  Three more schooners at the docks await their turns.

A couple photos:

Peace.