Etiquette of the Water

 

A poem about my recent boating excursion with a friend...

Rebecca bought a shiny boat

and invited Jan aboard

attracted to a jaunt afloat

Jan still felt untoward

Rebecca’s skills were surely great

her vessel water tight

but at going anywhere by eight

Jan’s inner sloth took fright

they compromised on half past nine

for their lakeside rendezvous

the temperature was just sublime

the water looked nice too

to get the boat set up to launch

with all its parts secured

they employed ev’ry kind of wrench

in Bec’s substantial hoard

Lastly a fiddly hood-like thing

the bimini they erected

to ensure that from the sun and wind

they would be protected

As the vessel edged towards the wet

it occurred to Jan

that neither had joined the boat club yet

but to use their ramp they planned

Rebecca said she’d made a call

but the club sounded elitist

joining their ranks she thought she’d stall

and maybe completely resist -

If questioned they agreed to assume

an air of nonchalance

say they intended to join soon

but wished to try it once

The craft began its slow descent

into the muddy swell

when a lean young tousle-haired gent

was maneuvering his as well

he gently nudged their boat aside

with a slight cocking of his head

Bec turned to Jan and softly said

‘that’s water etiquette’

before they commenced across the lake

they hovered on the jetty

pondering what  steps to take

to board and keep things steady

With one sure hand Bec held the boat

with the other she helped Jan

their sandalled feet were duly soaked

as they hatched their launching plan

This boat, as small boats are wont,

had one bench seat for two

of course the pilot faced the front

but the passenger, (who knew?)

must face away, to aft

Back to back they’d lean

so while the pilot steered the craft 

Jan could see where they’d been!

The lake now clear of floating traffic

Bec turned the ignition key

but the craft  remained quite static

what had caused this little hitch?

and how could it be mended?

Bec had just to flick a switch

the propeller then descended

They were off and cut a frothy path

speeding on their ride

their feet received another bath

as did much else inside

Bouncing in no direction particular

the bimini poles a-shakin’

in her quest to stay perpendicular

a tight hold of them Jan was takin’  

she surprised herself by realising that

she'd  had the presence of mind

to secure her mobile phone and hat

firmly beneath her behind

Communication between the friends was tough

with their reverse bookend posture

at first the trip was loud and rough

life jackets’ a further imposture

'How fast do you think we’re going?'  asked Bec

her words almost lost in the breeze

Jan in fact had no way to check

nor could she guess it with ease

next she thought she heard Bec say

‘I think 4 is the limit’

‘Knots?’ she pondered, anyway 

 she was sure they’d reached it

Bec indicated boats some metres away

implying they should be steering clear

not capsize them or drench them in spray

more water etiquette it would appear

Then Bec brought the boat around

smoothly, with lesser velocity

for their next two laps Jan found

her pole grasp could cease its ferocity

philosophical now re. her sodden feet

and enjoying the ride with her chum

well-adjusted too to her backward seat

and her phone’s imprint on her bum

At about this point Bec needed a break

and turned the boat t’ward the shore

their pace by now, steady and sedate

Jan would not have said ’no’ to some more

If getting into the vessel

had proved quite a challenge

getting out was more of a hassle 

that Jan doubted she’d easily manage

Twixt the side of the boat and the jetty’s edge

like a human concertina

she shuffled and got temporarily wedged

and hoped no other boat owners had seen her

Rebecca helped her to the shore

this time getting a soaking

but in seconds they were once more

on terra firma and joking

Later over coffee, Rebecca still fairly soggy

said: ‘I am taking the boat out Sunday noon

to acclimatise Cliffy and Maggie, my doggies

to the experience soon…

Her remark occasioned Jan’s speculation

would the pups behave as they oughta?

what would be their seating orientation?

would they respect the etiquette of the water?