A Fisherman’s Knot

A Fisherman’s Knot

His footsteps are slow. Trying not to bother. The lights are kept low. Not to wake his young wife and daughter.

The depths of the ocean awaits his call. The holds have stayed empty. This time he must fill them all.

The roof has some leaks. Some payments are late. If he doesn’t come through they will fall to his fate.

He’s right in his mind. His body is strong. There hasn’t been a good catch in far too long.

Awoke in the room to the creeks and the cracks. She hears the sounds of his footsteps. She sees the light through the slats.

The baby still sleeping is safe and warm. Doesn’t seem bothered by the sounds of the storm.

There’s food in the cupboards. There’s milk and there’s bread. The baby has clothes and the dogs are well fed.

She knows there a struggle and longs for more too. She smiles as she ponders his smile and eyes of ocean blue.

The leaks all have buckets, no trifle at all. She knows he will fix them before the storms in the fall.

The bank will be patient, we’ve been here before. It will all be okay when he returns from the shore.

He hears her awake and he walks to her side. The creeks in the floor she hears louder each stride.

He holds her tight. She holds him tighter. She says to stay safe. He tells he loves her.

A knot in his belly, as he gently kisses the cheek of his beautiful baby daughter asleep in her sheets.