Trap-smasher at Seawall

When nor'east storms hit Seawall,

we year-rounders hurry down

to see a "trap-smasher at work.

The lobster buoys pirouette in irridescent skirts

and seagulls dip into the towers of foam,

like children eating cotton candy at the fair.

The thunder of the breakers on the rocks

and the howling of wind

drown out the words we try to say.

And when our oilskins lose their battle with the rain,

we struggle back

wet-faced and out of breath,

across the beachstone ravaged road

and hurry home to put the kettle on.