Eider

The slap and slurp as she runs through the wavelets,

nurturing her crew as they make their way out.

The tides and winds have made bold suggestions,

yet we are the captains of our boat today.

We have learnt how to lift her, secure her and drop her.

Scratched her fine paint but only a little.

Our paddling comes more certain and calmer

and our right and our left turn to starboard and port.

She knows when we’re fishing and holds steady when asked to.

Yet reminds us that tide and wind are bolder than us.

She is ours and we built her, with time and attention.

She looks happy to hold us for adventures to come.