Fishermen’s Wives Memorial <\/strong><\/p>\n Poetry Contest<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The winner of the 2010 Fishermen’s Wives Memorial Poetry Contest was Diane Giardi, for her poem “The Fishermen’s Wives.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Diane Giardi is an artist, art teacher and poet; she has served on the faculty of Buckingham, Browne and Nichols School in Cambridge and at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.\u00a0 Although not formally trained in poetry, she has written ever since she was very young and is enthusiastic about writing and her Memorial topic:\u00a0 “I was excited to go down and look at the statue again….I sat next to it to write on a windy March day and couldn’t help feeling connected to the emotion behind it.”\u00a0 Diane’s artwork can be viewed on her website: (http:\/\/campus.digication.com\/ dianegiardi<\/u><\/a>)<\/p>\n The contest also recognized three finalists: Wayne Soini for his poem “Listening in Gloucester,” Nancy LeGendre for her poem “Constancy,” and Douglas Goldman for his poem “Ever the Same: Gloucester, Massachusetts.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Fishermen’s Wives<\/strong><\/p>\n by Diane Giardi<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We stand here for you<\/p>\n Resolute,<\/p>\n A triad of stability.<\/p>\n Time is slower now,<\/p>\n Although we are so very busy.<\/p>\n We are in wait,<\/p>\n In watch,<\/p>\n In constant vigil.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joey has grown so, you would be amazed.<\/p>\n He clenches on to me still,<\/p>\n But soon his fist will open<\/p>\n To embrace the world on his own.<\/p>\n Sara is forming new words,<\/p>\n Always making us laugh.<\/p>\n Thank God for this.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is an intermission now from full joy,<\/p>\n Our family circle not whole,<\/p>\n We feel the gap of you.<\/p>\n Purposeful tasks fill our days.<\/p>\n We move on, make do,<\/p>\n Taking solace in the comfort of our neighbors,<\/p>\n Veteran wives who know this territory well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The perils you must face, Sam!<\/p>\n I know the stories from the sea,<\/p>\n But will not let my mind around this.<\/p>\n Tenaciously, I will day by day<\/p>\n Shelter and minister our children,<\/p>\n Nurture to my fullest<\/p>\n And in our home create a safe haven.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We, the fishermen’s wives<\/p>\n Are too, exposed to the elements,<\/p>\n To the uncertainty of our fate,<\/p>\n Tidal dreams,<\/p>\n Menacing emotions that<\/p>\n Shake the midnight hours.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But do not fear for us.<\/p>\n The fervor of our soul,<\/p>\n The backbone of our love<\/p>\n Will pull us through.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I will cast a net out to you Sam,<\/p>\n To capture your spirit.<\/p>\n I will tarry in your blessings,<\/p>\n The lessons you have taught us.<\/p>\n I will create a safe harbor,<\/p>\n Brace my legs<\/p>\n And face the wind.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Listening in Gloucester<\/strong><\/p>\n by Wayne Soini<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The wives ashore<\/p>\n Listen for the passing breezes.<\/p>\n And they watch the clouds,<\/p>\n And note thaws and freezes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Some carelessly call this waiting<\/p>\n But it is not waiting at all.<\/p>\n People wait in dentists’ offices<\/p>\n And in lines at the mall.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In Gloucester by the sea<\/p>\n Time is not so killed<\/p>\n But is respected as it passes,<\/p>\n Never empty, instead filled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They light candles in church<\/p>\n And at home they pray,<\/p>\n They go to Mass<\/p>\n Most every day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They put up food ahead<\/p>\n And scrub the children clean.<\/p>\n They visit the folks and<\/p>\n Do errands in between.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Some have jobs for which they are paid<\/p>\n But this is not their biggest task –<\/p>\n What draws on all their strengths,<\/p>\n Night and day you need not ask!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fishermen’s wives’ hearts beat<\/p>\n To know their men are in God’s care<\/p>\n And that is what God hears<\/p>\n Listening to Gloucester’s salty air.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Constancy<\/strong><\/p>\n by Nancy Legendre<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Summer:<\/strong><\/strong> husband to wife<\/p>\n I felt the baby move under my hand when you were asleep.<\/p>\n I’m safe in my sea-womb… rocked to sleep thinking of you.<\/p>\n Hot red disc slipped into a placid sea.\u00a0 I slept with you in my thoughts.<\/p>\n The cod will run strong today, tomorrow; 3 days strong.\u00a0 Fair skies all.<\/p>\n I have chosen the sea, and it chooses me.\u00a0 Whose will is it?\u00a0 Mine or His?<\/p>\n An honest day’s work is all I ask of Him.\u00a0 Keep my family safe.<\/p>\n The sea runs calm.\u00a0 The sea provides.\u00a0 Daddy will be home soon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We’ll picnic on the breakwater.\u00a0 Pack sandwiches and drinks.<\/p>\n We’ll watch the pleasure boats in their hurry to nowhere.<\/p>\n Waves break upon the shore.\u00a0 Turn and return back to sea…<\/p>\n They always return.\u00a0 Their constancy is as we are.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Does our son want a baby sister?\u00a0 I shall treasure a daughter, too.<\/p>\n Next summer we’ll dip her toes in the ocean.\u00a0 I’ll teach her to fish.<\/p>\n What will she dream of doing?\u00a0 Will she choose a life by the sea?<\/p>\n The constancy of the sea holds us.\u00a0 It feeds and renews us.<\/p>\n We shall not forsake this bounteous ocean.\u00a0 Give thanks!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The water holds me, gently rocking.\u00a0 Clear blue sky over deep blue sea.<\/p>\n Diamonds flash at the surface.\u00a0 Sun and sea and sky enfold.<\/p>\n What lovelier place to toil?\u00a0 Where else should we care to be?<\/p>\n The sea unending in its beauty.\u00a0 Sway and pull caress my soul.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Surging, swirling measured progress.<\/p>\n Waves recede in sweet repose.<\/p>\n I shall watch the tide return.<\/p>\n I shall never be alone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Summer:<\/strong><\/strong> wife to husband<\/p>\n Your son is thrilled about the baby.\u00a0 He brings treasures to show my belly.<\/p>\n Remember when Jori was unknown?\u00a0 I cannot imagine a day without him here.<\/p>\n Jori sings for our daughter.\u00a0 He sings about the waves and a Daddy at sea.<\/p>\n Oh the fish are jumping high; jump into my Daddy’s net; bring Daddy home to me.<\/p>\n Light crept into our room this morning spreading warmth so early.\u00a0 A hot day.<\/p>\n We’ll bring pail and shovel to the beach.\u00a0 Watch for Daddy out at sea.\u00a0 Sing to me.<\/p>\n The sea is smooth and soothing.\u00a0 Our daughter moves in her sea as I dream of you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We’ll picnic on the breakwater.\u00a0 I’ll pack sandwiches and drinks.<\/p>\n We’ll spread our blanket on the rocks.\u00a0 We’ll bring treasures for the baby.<\/p>\n The heat is here to stay.\u00a0 No rain predicted.\u00a0 When shall I look for you?<\/p>\n You always return.\u00a0 You keep me strong.\u00a0 May He keep you safe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Did I tell you about my dream?\u00a0 Just an ordinary day… the four of us together.<\/p>\n Your arm around my shoulders.\u00a0 Jori spoke to his sister… too far away to hear his<\/p>\n words.\u00a0 You said not to worry.\u00a0 You said, “they’ll work it out.”\u00a0\u00a0 I wasn’t sure.<\/p>\n The weight of your arm faded.\u00a0 I held the baby.\u00a0 We looked out to sea.<\/p>\n You were not here.\u00a0 Just me, Jori and the baby looking out to sea.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Where is father?\u00a0 Out to sea.\u00a0 Where is mother?\u00a0 Here with me.<\/p>\n Do you sleep in bed at sea?\u00a0 Do you sleep in ocean’s hold?<\/p>\n Who shall hold me tight in bed; who will see the day unfold?<\/p>\n I will hold you tight at night.\u00a0 We will see the day unfold.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ocean brings forth cool relief.<\/p>\n Waves recede in sweet repose.<\/p>\n I shall watch the tide return.<\/p>\n I shall stand no more alone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fall: husband to wife<\/p>\n Strong winds blow across the waves.\u00a0 We’re match for 10 foot swells as these.<\/p>\n It’s calmer as the sun descends.\u00a0 No fear for sleep, a weary rest.<\/p>\n Rock my cabin;\u00a0 hold my soul.\u00a0 A week or less, our toil complete.<\/p>\n The catch is low, but promise yet.\u00a0 Cod ahead on Middle Ground.<\/p>\n Young arms help with the haul.\u00a0 Young backs hold steady.<\/p>\n Our son is agile in the pitch.\u00a0 His movement sure, effortless.<\/p>\n The sea provides to those who stay the course.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We’ll walk together on the shore.\u00a0 Sea glass sky on cobalt sea.<\/p>\n Paint me an ocean picture; our boat returning with plentiful catch.<\/p>\n Magda says she’s helping you find the colors that you dream.<\/p>\n Paint our image growing old.\u00a0 My arm encircles your waist.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Why do you dream you are alone?\u00a0 I’m here with you still.<\/p>\n Swells are gaining strength.\u00a0 We’ll reach our mark by midday.<\/p>\n Tonight we’ll bed to an early day.\u00a0\u00a0 Set the nets before sunrise.<\/p>\n Take our fill, and trust the Lord.\u00a0 Sights on home by end of day.<\/p>\n To Magdalena say our prayers.\u00a0 Mother guide us safely home.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Steady movement, ceaseless passion.\u00a0 Metal sky on darkened sea.<\/p>\n Brush strokes strike an anguished canvas.\u00a0 White lead touches carbon ground.<\/p>\n Wash the salt from cabin window.\u00a0 Wash the sleep from weary minds.<\/p>\n Brace yourself against the water.\u00a0 Brace your heart against the brine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Swirling, churning angry sea.<\/p>\n Waves recede in sweet repose.<\/p>\n You shall watch the tide return.<\/p>\n Work at sea, the life I chose.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Winter: husband to wife<\/p>\n It’s the winter of my heart; autumn of an earthbound toil.<\/p>\n You who waited on the shore.\u00a0 To whom I vowed unending love.<\/p>\n Shall we yet embrace?\u00a0 Touch on touch undone by death.<\/p>\n Memory pins you to my heart.\u00a0 I seek your spirit on this shore.<\/p>\n Alizarin crimson fills the space, void beneath a black-ice sky.<\/p>\n Life forgotten without you.\u00a0 I’m lost at sea, and yet return.<\/p>\n I watch for you in emptiness, adrift on crimson waves.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Come to meet me on the beach.\u00a0 Walk with me on rocky shore.<\/p>\n Feed my sorrow to the seabirds, broken shells upon the floor.<\/p>\n I pray to God your spirit knows me, holds me, warms me, lifts me up.<\/p>\n In the space of death departed, souls apart shall be rejoined.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Did you see the mourners at your service?\u00a0 No burial at your request.<\/p>\n Ashes fed to greedy waves.\u00a0\u00a0 You’re finally with me out at sea.\u00a0 Too cold.<\/p>\n I’d prefer to feel you waiting, standing steadily at shore.<\/p>\n Jori, standing, pointing.\u00a0 Magna hoisted at your hip.<\/p>\n Where did the waiting years go?\u00a0 Watch for me as I grow old.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I’m sorry if I complained.\u00a0 Each of us did our work.<\/p>\n My work was at sea.\u00a0 Yours in the home.\u00a0 A traditional convention.<\/p>\n It met our needs.\u00a0 I met yours, and you met mine.\u00a0 I am in need.<\/p>\n Who will sing to me at night?\u00a0 Who will keep your body warm?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Seething, snarling unfed sea,<\/p>\n Ashes to the depths of fear.<\/p>\n Where you waited, now I stand.<\/p>\n Dreams awake me, take my tears.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Spring:<\/strong><\/strong> daughter to father<\/p>\n Awaken to the dawning day.\u00a0 Gulls alarm all sleepers now.<\/p>\n Time to feel the chill of daybreak, taste the grind, see the sunrise.<\/p>\n Paint the sky upon the water, sun erupts to bleach the sky.<\/p>\n Grab my brushes, oils and easel; Papa stay with those asleep.<\/p>\n Promise of a beach filled morning, grab the pails, hats and jackets…<\/p>\n Stroller full of smile-filled children, eagerness and treasure-lured.<\/p>\n Coax the shyness, teach the lesson, mother’s day begun once more.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Momma’s brushes in my fingers.\u00a0 Through my eyes her imagery.<\/p>\n Once she stood so strong and watching.\u00a0 Now I paint her same blue sea.<\/p>\n I shall hold her brush in mine.\u00a0 Move my fingers, touch her soul.<\/p>\n Ocean colors ever changing captured by their constancy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the oven, muffins warming.\u00a0 On the stovetop, scrambled eggs.<\/p>\n After breakfast, gather beach things; travel down the Boulevard.<\/p>\n Fill the pail with pirate’s booty, storm the tide pools ’round the barge.<\/p>\n Troll the beach in search of sea things, bring me jewels of untold worth.<\/p>\n In the searching is the treasure, in their joy we find reward.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Do you think that she can see us?\u00a0 Does she know my children’s names?<\/p>\n Does she pray for Magdalena?\u00a0 Hold us strong, keep us safe?<\/p>\n Momma we recall your standing by the silvered water’s edge.<\/p>\n Daddy stays with us in Gloucester, eyes reflect the self-same sea.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Waves are reaching for their haven.<\/p>\n Back away, and quick return.<\/p>\n Time escapes in growing older,<\/p>\n Sea to sea, a life relearns.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Summer:<\/strong><\/strong> husband to wife<\/p>\n Do you remember the four of us, our picnic on the breakwater?<\/p>\n You were pensive, spoke of dreaming, thoughts of being left alone.<\/p>\n I assured you I would be here, hold you, love you, never leave.<\/p>\n It was you who held the babies, told them stories, fed their dreams.<\/p>\n You who heard their yearnings, cooled their fevers, shaped their days.<\/p>\n I didn’t realize all that passed, more a loss in missing you.<\/p>\n Tides return to ebb again, washing memories with tears.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n True, I loved the sea.\u00a0 Loved clear skies and unseen boundaries.<\/p>\n Felt the cold against my skin.\u00a0 Warmed by sun, rhythms pleasing.<\/p>\n Haul the net with able hands.\u00a0 Thanks for fish, diamonds flashing.<\/p>\n Keep me safe and free at sea.\u00a0 Catch is caught, my work rewarded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wife, island to my ocean, hold our children to your hip.<\/p>\n Magna’s girls delight in running, cross the beach to tease a wave.<\/p>\n Turning back to smile at Papa, standing near in eager vigil.<\/p>\n Fated soon to worry-worn.\u00a0 Life is work and love, and loss.<\/p>\n I will stay here waiting, watching waves against a shifting shore.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ocean pushing to move forward.\u00a0 Memories bring us back to land.<\/p>\n Push against the fear, the loss.\u00a0 Bringing back our detritus.<\/p>\n And as tides turn, so our losses.\u00a0 Bringing back all love to yearn.<\/p>\n For one more day alive at sea, safe in ocean’s constancy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Waves stay ever at the shore.<\/p>\n Sway our bodies, pull our hearts.<\/p>\n If not for hope, then why the toil?<\/p>\n If not for love, then toil is naught.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ever the Same: <\/strong>Gloucester, Massachusetts<\/strong><\/p>\n by Douglas Goldman<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After the rose-orange dawn, grey cover creeps into sight.<\/p>\n Seas out past buoys chained to bottom begin to swell high.<\/p>\n On each wave-edge a crew begins to picture coming night,<\/p>\n the pummel over shipbow, flooding gunnels, flying deck.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lines are taut, whining in the blow.\u00a0 Each man collects<\/p>\n his strength, secures barrel and box…and must know<\/p>\n the wind in water conquers all craft…ocean indomitable!<\/p>\n Home is far away, impossibly far in day’s fading light.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bread is in the oven, the kitchen warm and sweet.<\/p>\n Children bundled up in quilts stir and twist and wake.<\/p>\n Eggs are on the table.\u00a0 Momma taps her worried feet.<\/p>\n Gusts beat on a windowpane, pellets of rain, the cold.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the depths of dreams explorers came,<\/p>\n colors of the mind on the rolling main<\/p>\n hurled into the windswept sky.<\/p>\n O, shed the shackles,<\/p>\n old plagues and pain,<\/p>\n for freedom of the heart, riches, fame.<\/p>\n For freedom of the heart, that pounding strain,<\/p>\n is relentless in the soul of man,<\/p>\n soul<\/p>\n none can imprison, none can restrain.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She paces the tiles, not touching the lines<\/p>\n for luck with her family, and in her life, seeking<\/p>\n the even plan of the floor’s array of squares<\/p>\n and tugs a strand of her loosely bound hair<\/p>\n knowing all is change, day to day…minutes<\/p>\n tick away and the wind howls and the rain<\/p>\n pelts glass at the window frame and nothing<\/p>\n may ever be the same, yet ever the same,<\/p>\n to endure.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Fishermen’s Wives Memorial Poetry Contest \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The winner of the 2010 Fishermen’s Wives Memorial Poetry Contest was Diane Giardi, for her poem “The Fishermen’s Wives.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Diane Giardi is an artist, art teacher and poet; she has served on the faculty of … Continue reading