The Blessing of the Boats

Fishing is an industry on Prince Edward Island, the setting of Tango: The Tale of an Island Dog. Many people earn their living this way. In Chapter 4, Pastor MacDougal performs The Blessing of the Boats at the beginning of the lobster season on May 4th. In honor of that day, here is a poem by poet and children’s book author, Lucille Clifton:

Lobster Boats at Victoria Wharf

blessing the boats

may the tide
that is entering even now
the lip of our understanding
carry you out
beyond the face of fear
may you kiss
the wind then turn from it
certain that it will
love your back may you
open your eyes to water
water waving forever
and may you in your innocence
sail through this to that

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