I sketched for a minute and drew a hunched figure in a cloak
The figure was looking into a valley
The title of this sketch was Victory
Have you written any further poems?
Yes
There is only one
May I see it?
It is a slightly mysterious and maybe nostalgic poem
But I do not think it is very good
I prefer my poem called Victory which accompanied the sketch
Would you read your poem to me?
Yes I will
What is it called?
Ceremonies at Sea
During my years as a sailor
I never liked ceremonies at sea
As I found them foolish and trivial
But now that I have retired
I often sit in my sea house
And listen to the music of the waves
And find out that I was quite mistaken
I rather liked your poem
It is your choice but I have always found it rather lightweight and simple
I thought that the character resembled Captain Cat in Under Milk Wood and that is why I decided not to publish it
There are similarities but your character is totally different
If you say so
Where did you set your poem?
Where was the captain living in his retirement?
I never said that he was a captain
He might have just been a simple merchant seaman
Now retired
And looking out to sea with a little nostalgia
And that is the poems weakness
I think that is the poems strength
That is your opinion
Your poem reminds me of my childhood
When I was a child my parents often took me to a small coastal village called Torcross in South Devon
Have you heard of it?
Yes it is near Dartmouth I believe
It was a dreamlike place in the summer although it was often damaged by storms in the winter
I used to sit there with my sister
Creating sandcastles?
No it was mainly a stony beach
And we would both look out to sea and make up stories of daring and adventure
You poem reminded me of those days
Were there any retired sea captains?
Alas no
I did not see any retired sea captains or for that matter retired sailors
Maybe they retired inland as they were tired of the sea
Nobody can tire of the sea and that is why so many people write poems about it