the little coastal lunchplace

where I drink my coffee

lobstermen and shrimpers

wander in and out

sharing (the feel of ropes

in their hands) what I cannot

share

today the talk is

“did they find the

net?” and

“did they find

the net?” they all

seem to care

so that when the old man

comes in with the news

they are boundless

I can feel the lines

go out among them

while I drink

my coffee

Jim Bishop of Bangor has taught at the University of Maine in Orono for many years and also served as associate director for Franco-American studies. This poem is from his book “Mother Tongue,” published in 1975.