the fog’s burned off
but still hazy

with another schooner far off to the left of the Angelique
a sailboat comes between us

another windjammer’s way off on the horizon
while we skirted a sandbar

Camden grows as we approach
the Congregational spire for navigation
perhaps there’s a third behind her

entry into crowded harbor even in shoulder season
a bit tricky
especially when a pleasure boat backs into our path

shouts of “get back!” or “keep moving” finally heard

Coast Guard a bit more astute

the transom of one sailboat ASTARA also the name of our messmate
should they get acquainted sometime

haven’t seen a Kroger product for ages till now
the logo popping above someone’s pack

My messenger bag has a conspicuous stain
its first
remaining as a badge of honor
or oarlock grease

as I’m getting off, “This is all you have?” as in surprised
while I’m realizing how much I overpacked

now to send off a deposit for next year
(which I did)

you’re out of line
you’re out of rope

rock, paper, scissor
last call

3 loons
heard first
and then seen

3 passengers showing the captain
photos of their parents’ and grandparents’ weddings
vintage dresses they thought she could consider
for her upcoming wedding in January
Captain Becky not yet 30

Becky our captain
is very funny
and so is Dylan, the mate

clusters of sails
how do you know how to mix

rolling waters as the pulse of the earth
a breathing
we ride

 

Having passed Searsport and now at anchor in Stockton Springs

Captain Becky’s reading in the galley
from Lincoln Ross Colcord’s Sailing Days on the Penobscot
of the treacherous trip from here,
where the crooked, tricky Penobscot River is said to begin
and the 24 miles to Bangor and Brewer at the first falls
and all the lumber collected from upstream

even the 18 miles from Bucksport was a terror
in the days of sails

 tidewalkers
broken logs along the shoreline
and river
can sink a ship

60 boats a day at Bangor and Brewer

schooners lashed three abreast
for the Bangor stretch
pulled by a steamboat

Make way!

slosh, slosh, slosh, ripple
at the bow
/ bowsprit

one porpoise
then three
approaching Castine

topsail, top’sal
still motoring along

sound of chainsaw from shore
a nasty mosquito

Dice light

The difference a week can make.