Synaptic Snapshot of Portland Bay

Synaptic Snapshot of Portland Bay

by Graham Bates, as a tribute to our friends on the occasion of us leaving Portland for warmer climes.

Fishing off Portland pier
Originally uploaded by helencahill

We'd just got in
And we're looking about
Crossed Juliette at the roundabout
Little voice pipes up from out of the back
"Crikey Dad, will you look at that!"
We both spin 'round, and we're taken aback
Great big ship 'steaming' up on our port tack
First impressions - "Hey, what a crack!"

Stand at the window, Path tea-room
Lean on the sill, eyes South and East
Harbour mouth, ship slowly slips in
With two small tugs in a close embrace
They dance entwined at a rehearsed pace
Guide the lady to her berthing space
Trees, bushes, shrubs thrash about
West wind blows, it's miserable out
Steel-cold sky, grey and bleak
Then the noise draws near,
It's the Germ-warfare crew, on final approach
Cakes in hand, they trundle in
Twittering away, they give me cheek
Warm and friendly, looks inviting to me,
Last glance out window, "Looks like sleet."
Wander to the table and take my seat.

Yumm, late breakfasts at Kopi's place
And relaxing dinners - along the harbour street
Copping a riposte from staff friends within
We remember these times with friends and kin
Sunsets, reflections, and rising ribbons of steam
Out on the millpond in butter-moon beams

Whipping along at 85 knots,
Rotary wing thumping up top
We're out on the hunt, for anything nautic
Like Dolphins, jugong even a sea-slug,
Anything will do, we'll not be that fussy.
The lookout in front cries "Look, over there!"
And down in the swell, Gliding ponderously along
Spouts of a mother and baby together
We orbit above, wind sweeps past my arm,
We've got the door off, and I've got a great view
Massive blue whales and islands of krill
For the spotter in front, a memorable thrill
Six summers we've been here, within Portland Bay
Autumn is on us, it's our time to move on
Sot it's farewell from her,
And goodbye from him.