Shrimp Boats in the Harbor

Shrimp Boats in the Harbor

     As the small, wooden fishing boat softly yet steadily churns it's way around river's bends; as the rising wake of the boat pushes itself towards shore, commanding the shore's marshes to quickly rise and fall, and as the deep, silky green river plants make way for the bobbing bow; the harbor of shrimp boats comes into an enchanted distant view.  As the river's edge continues to bend, the fishing boat glides closer and closer to the shrimp boat harbor.  The eye cast itself on the scene ahead, a scene all too familiar yet mesmerizing as ever.

     The massive nets and cables, the tall poles and enlarged decks, the carefully named and labeled wood, and the displayed antennas and shrimping equipment all join in painting an intriguing picture of man's trade and one's skill.
     Bon Secour Bay is a working fishing village.  Regardless of the age at which I behold this scene, I have always and will continue to look forward to this sight in Lower Alabama.

     The shrimp boats come and go, searching the waters below then hoisting in their catch.  Perhaps there have been bountiful years, and very lean years.  Perhaps it's my imagination that tells me that they have a deep running love for open waters, salty sprays, trailing seagulls and changing tides.  Perhaps it's my intrigue that weaves an inner picture of these shrimp boats being avenues for a sense of independence, confidence, self satisfaction and reflection, and a one on one love affair with the forces of nature and open water.

     With each turn and bend of the river and the Bay, and as I pass the several shrimp boat harbors, I continue to and will always, stop, pause, gaze and think, and stay silent for a moment at their sight so reflected upon the coastal waters.