ThunderBay, and the Lobster Fleet,
The elder one built them. The younger one sank them.
Steel draggers everyone.
built them in the Cove,
a fishing fleet.
He should have stayed a carpenter by trade.
The fish became the drug.
The honest dollar grew and then came the deadman’s son.
The fisherman’s sons gather around the bonfire,
the net-burning celebration.
They are fishermen in name only.
They gather to raise money for the three-legged dog.
There is always a three-legged dog.
And the fleet, anchors too far away for fishing.
The lobster fleet anchors off the coast of Maine.
Big Brother waits for them to port but they never do.
The lobster boats bring in their traps and celebrate,
though one son leaves in a body bag.
They say he overdosed on lobster
and the real heroine was crowned squid queen for a day.
2004- Maine Drug Runners
From the blog
About the Author: Sarah B. Royal
Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.
Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.
Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.
Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.
WoPoLi 
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