Yachting in New England in the winter can be bleak. Poetry with a dash of love is the panacea that we all need. For that reason, we've partnered with Points East Magazine to present the Birch Marine Valentine’s Day Poetry Contest. A highly qualified panel of ten judges, known as ‘TAYAP’ (The Academy of Yacht Anthropomorphizing Poetry), carefully score all entries. The winning poem is distributed to the entire Birch Marine community on Valentine’s Day and published in Points East Magazine.
We met at a show, you brought your dough, intending to make a selection.
You fancied my style, aboard me you smiled,
I heard when you whispered perfection.
Twas love at first sight, then you spent the night, our marriage was destined to be.
You christened my bow with champagne and a vow,
though I might have preferred a chablis.
In want of cosmetics, not all for aesthetics, you provided me all that attention.
The varnish was brushed, so much that I blushed;
twas more than an ounce of prevention.
We made our debut, passed the review, oh how the others were jealous.
On the docks people stared, at the yacht club they glared,
we could see it, they didn’t have to tell us.
We sailed together in all kinds of weather, guided by only the stars,
the sun and the moon, in the late afternoon,
I coped with those dreadful cigars.
It wasn’t all bliss, but let’s reminisce on the times that we’ll always remember.
The baking of bread and rebuilding the head
and the wonderful sails in September.
When you lost heart, and we grew apart, it was sad but it couldn’t be foretold.
You lost the desire, attracted a buyer,
like that; I was suddenly sold.
You’ve chosen another, but what did you gain? Could it be I was starting to blister?
More length overall, I heard you complain,
and you fell for my lovely big sister.
– Craig Parmelee Carter, Guilford, CT
2016 Winner - is it too late now to say starboard?!
You, my captain, are confident and none are wiser
Snazzy too, with your checklist and visor
I'm clean, nimble and lean
Very few have a more narrow beam
That fair breeze flew
That white foam flew
My furrow followed free
What mast compression!
What rudder load regression!
My jib track is about to rip off my deck
Please ease that sheet with the blue fleck
I'm begging for bailing, battens & ballast
Begging for luffing, lulls and less
An abusive relationship, my girlfriends say
But I like it rough, so tighten my stays
30 seconds til the start
Just like that time in St. Bart
Time to wind me up and sail me smarter
Why would there be a port tack starter
-Burt Dow, Stonington, ME
2015 Winner - Awaiting the spring
Awaiting the coming spring.
My bilge pump pumps and pumps
In hopes of new stuffing in my stuffing box.
My seacocks closed for the winter;
My halyard banding impatiently in the wind.
Waiting to flush the pink fluid from my lines;
Waiting to shed this plastic cover;
Waiting to come alive;
Waiting to heal over and scream.
But for now just waiting.
Awaiting the spring -
and the comfort of oily hands of the greasy sailor -
and of course his guests.
- Mark Nicholas, Los Angeles, CA
2014 Winner - Nervous Wreck
Do you every worry that
One of those planes on approach to Logan
Might brush the tip of my antenna?
And lately the moon seems quite low
And I think it could be a problem
Finnegan keeps following me.
Call them, damn it, I insist!
Birch Marine is my Xanex and I need a fix!
That crew makes me feel new
Confidence, cleanliness & calm is what they bestow
All systems working and boy do I glow
Bring Birch back spring, summer, fall & winter
Bring Birch back often and I will never splinter
- Sally Blink, Carlsbad, CA
2013 Winner - Dorade
Is it the soft grain
On the inboard plank
Of my coach roof top box
That you like?
Or, perhaps, my solid bronze teardrop cowl
Delicately dressed in green patina?
Or is it my tight dovetail
Seductively simmering in salt and sun?
Or is it my sure stance
Alongside mast and crew?
Or my steady breath behind your left ear
As you turn Melville's pages by oil lamp
While together we tug against achor
And quiver on the cusp of the turn of the tide?
Varnish me.
- Sam Albright, Woods Hole, MA
2012 Winner - One Way Scamp
A scamp by design and disposition
I head playfully out into Shell Lake
My sail, full-bellied with the wind
I list to starboard, water droplets on your face
And yellow life jacket – cinched firmly I head playfully for the horizon
The dock a speck on the distant shore
The late afternoon wind dies
My sail hangs limply in the golden light
Alone on the lake, the scamp and her captain
Waiting for the tow back home
I bask in these moments and seek them out
I am a one way scamp
- A. M. A., Brookline, MA
2011 Winner - Haiku for February
Stretched lines yearning
My valentine red sail burns
For your bold command
- Bobby Lizzard, Brookline, MA
2010 Winner - Oh captain, my captain, I forgive you
For the bump on Brewster Spit
For the month when we never left the slip
For that eventful departure from the fuel dock
For your neglect for my failed seacock
The varnish that never left the can
The mis-Q with my halyards
Your bungled electrical repair
Why didn't you call Birch?
I forgive you for that bicycle
for your pal's running shoes
For failing to scrub my waterline
For sailing the Swan from E-9
For trying to mate my anchor
With the BBQ on the S/Y Spanker
I forgive you because I love you
But please do remind your dear daughter
That fuel tanks are for fuel, not water!
- Sam Albright, Cambridge, MA
2009 Winner - Remember
O’Captain, my captain please melt the snow
My languid limp lines lament the long length of Winter
Do you remember
Gazing into my compass with trusting eyes
Listening to my whisper on WX03 tell of clearing skies?
A keel bolt never forgets
Do you remember
Weighing anchor at O’dark hundred in Brewster’s lee
With coffee for you and sea for me?
A keel bolt never forgets
Do you remember
My helm in your hand with waves so steep
Skirting the deceptive dangers of the deep?
A keel bolt never forgets
Do you remember Harding’s Ledge?
A keel bolt never forgets
- Sam Albright, Cambridge, MA
2008 Winner - An immodest girl
I know that I'm an immodest girl,
With a bone in my teeth, with sails all unfurled.
Especially in warmer climes and times,
Fairer than fair, that phrase comes to mind.
But here in winter (rhymes with discontent),
Snowflakes and tinsel are my dandruff and lint.
I need a good bath, remove all the plastic.
Life on the hard, not romantic, just spastic.
Who can get lovey at this time of year,
Except indoor types, landlubbers we fear?
So give me the candy, the card & the flowers,
But know that real pleasures derive from SUN power.
The holiday date we sailors await
Comes in late May, not Valentine's Day.
- Matt Chauvin, Hallandale, FL
2007 Winner - O' Captain, my captain..
Roses are Red, Violets are Blue
This is a valentine from your boat to you
Doest thou love me, as I doth love Thou?
From my stern pushpit, to the tip of my bow
If thou doth love me, as much as it seems
Please schedule my maintenance, with Birch Marine
From washing and waxing, all done by hand
To installations and oil changes, they’re the best in the land
Shipshape in Bristol fashion, I love to be
Each time we set sail, on New England's seas
Let the Birch Marine team, treat me with care
And wherever we venture, I’ll get you there.
Lots of love from your faithful vessel
- Greg Flederman, Hull, MA