The Fishermans’ Wife

The Fisherman’s Wife

Pity the fisherman’s wife
who grieves by Merin Rheged.
The sea has devoured her life,
a husband and three sons drowned
by a storm that feasted a full
four days. Now, even the gulls
mourn, and the waves weep
upon the broken shore.

See, how she picks her way
through the bleached bones of driftwood.
Eyes ever seaward, hair streaming
like seaweed at the tide’s turn.
What can we offer her? Only
the warmth of our eyes, our quiet pity.
Wrapped in her pride, she walks the edge,
wearing her tears like jewels.


(Merin Rheged = Solway Firth)