Marina
A folly of pleasure boats
crams the marina,
sterns to the ocean,
bows facing the shore
as if to say, “we’re here,
we’ve arrived”.
They are a motley crew:
plucky tug boats straight out of a children’s story book;
sleek, testosterone –fueled speedsters
utilitarian skiffs,
large, white, tiered confections
in which ruddy-faced men
wearing navy blue blazers
with gold anchors on the lapels
drink gin and tonics at five;
boats big enough
to house a scandal
involving a member of the Royal Family.
But at the moment it’s quiet,
mid-week, and nothing shaking.
A pair of red Cape Cod chairs
sits empty at the end of the dock
like an ad for a retirement investment fund.
A pencil of light streaks across the water
from a house on the other side of the bay.
The boats look abandoned,
like dogs waiting for their owners to return.
Taking part in Open Link over at dverse.
Stopdraggingthepanda 
I find such marinas to be the worst waste of money ever.
LikeLiked by 2 people
We get a lot of those boats on the Norfolk Broads, and although I am lucky to live on the edge of one of the larger broads, there are so many people who own moorings but don’t actually live here, which is why these lines resonated with me, Jim:
‘The boats look abandoned,like dogs waiting for their owners to return.’
I sometimes walk down the garden to the water and talk to the boats.
LikeLike
The Woman who Talks to Boats! Now there’s a title! Always good to hear from you , KIM!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jim! There are some lovely little cruisers moored up here, most with interesting and original names. We don’t have one, but I do like to see them gently bobbing on the water. At just gone seven this morning there were also swans and geese.
LikeLike
You captured a marina’s character perfectly here.
LikeLike
Thanks Lisa!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Could do without the boats, but I’d give my left nut to be in one of those red chairs… Well captured!
LikeLike
Thanks Ron!
LikeLike
Visually captivating and the boats image along everything else happening is well expressed.
LikeLike
Thanks Charlie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome, my friend. 🙂
LikeLike
You’ve caught those ads, and personified those vessels, perfectly, (K)
LikeLike
Thank you Kerfe, much appreciated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“The boats look abandoned,like dogs waiting for their owners to return.”
really luv this image
much♡love
LikeLike
Thank you Gilena! Glad you enjoyed it . JIM
LikeLike
I love this Jim! You captured the essence of marina – and a great image at the end.
LikeLike
Thank you KIM!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“A folly of pleasure boats” says it all! And I love “A pencil of light streaks across the water”, as well as that wonderful last couplet.
LikeLike
Thank you Sunra, glad you enjoyed It! JIM
LikeLike
A pair of red Cape Cod chairs
sits empty at the end of the dock
Giving the image of relaxation but, is it really?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally get the retirement fund ad! Yeah, looks like a delightful place to take in the view, but who actually does? Not the boating crowd, I’d guess.
LikeLike
The Sunshine Coast, just a ferry ride from West Vancouver, put it on your trip list! JIM
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for that! I miss being near boats and a marina.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You painted a beautiful scene of the marina. Wish I live near the area.
LikeLike
Thank you Grace!
LikeLike
A wonderful capture of the essence of marina, Jim.
LikeLike
“boats big enough
to house a scandal”
Having lived and worked around Sydney Harbour I believe I’ve seen many scandals.
Great write. 👏
LikeLike
love, love, love this; you disappeared for a while and I forgot you but I stumbled upon you while riffling through an old notebook of 2021 and reread ‘Tree Lot’, Magic and sui generis. Glad you’re back. Stay !!!
LikeLike
Great to hear from you John! I have been blogging but not as frequently as before. Thank you for your generous comments! JIM
LikeLiked by 1 person