Dark Smoky Place of Memories

 

 

It’s a holiday time
And I scrambled for sand
In a place where Atlantic she rolls
And I tripped down the street
To a place where times meet
One of those seamen’s watering holes.
It was all dark inside
Where the spent went to hide
And to think of the fishing afore.
To the Banks they would sail
And would risk fearsome gale
Just to haul in the codfish once more.
I got used to the dark
And took seat next his mark
Buying him yet another “for health”.
And his sticky eyes glazed
At the treasured salt days
When he sported in freer man’s wealth.
There were ports of glad call
And the shipmates were all
For adventure and let’s shake this Town.
And some slept in the clink
And the cause was just drink
Thought to make the hard pills go down.
He had missed the Wife’s death
And the kids both had left
Knowing Dad had no Land-farer’s boots.
Seeking grand city lights
Hectic days, liquid nights
Just like orphans without any roots.
It was four o’clock now
And I couldn’t see how
My queer questioning lessened his pain.
But the talk just took wings
Hear him Billy he sings
And the wreckage seemed straightened again.