Ode to the Clinker-built kauri cutter. New Lynn Sea Scout Cutter 73 Manukau
A dedication to mariners lost at sea
SHADOWLESS SEA
Manukau loose your tethered painter:
just one more time for me
slap your polished belly
upon this belligerent sea.
Manukau let your bow plunge:
to gulp the cooling liquor
that slakes your wicked thirst
that swells your kauri lungs
Rise up brave Manukau:
to taste the dripping sticking spume
rise up
to fight and not to heed the wounds.
Be prepared our Manukau
For this is no ordinary sea
no mere scudding sky
mere bruised and swollen tide
your mainsail sets to ply.
Alas Oh Manukau
your sailing days have ended
your crew has tossed their oars
their service has been rendered
way enough; blades fore and aft
Rejoice our Manukau
For this is no ordinary accolade
no mere fleeting cosmic adulation
mere brief delightful charade
this is your tiker-tape parade.
Oh Manukau turn away now
and do not gaze with awe
upon this shadowless sea
whose waves are made of straw
in aquatic nativity
Behold our Manukau
For those unyielding tides
we are powerless to subdue
have stolen our barnacled fortress
their sticky frothy heads
leave a crooked smile on the beach
for everyone to view.
Geoffrey S D Cooke 07/10/2009
- seascout