Bunkering, Colombo

Bunkering,  Colombo

After setting off from Phuket  we crossed the Indian ocean,  with no land or other boats in sight.  We weren't allowed to leave the ship when we docked  to refuel at Colombo,  Sri Lanka, but spent the day watching the activity all around us.

Nothing but a flat calm sea
An overarching sky
Eyes seek out something,
Anything other than blue on blue.

First the insects,
Then swallows,  swooping,  diving,
Signs of land, at last.

A pilot boast guides us in:
A modern skyline
Old colonial buildings squatting
Surrounded by skyscrapers
Docks, streets, boats, motorbikes, cars
Three grey,  six brown uniformed guards,
One gun,  to guard the landing stage.

Trees, crows, ravens, gulls,
Pelicans chasing a ball of fish in the harbour
A man changing his luck with a line,
People going about their lives.
All new for us to feast upon
Starved of the world.


© Copyright 2020. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved





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