Poetry Train Monday - 157 - Simon, What Do You Think Of The Weather?

For Father's Day, I've taken a piece of journal writing from my grandfather and fashioned it into a found poem.

That's my grandfather in the seen-better-days photo, with his father. My mom and I found this on a piece of notepaper, in amongst a box of photos. Since he was a photographer rather than a writer, this memory was an absolute delight to come across.

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Simon, What Do You Think Of The Weather?


I went out
To sleep with my dad
At their fisherman's shack

So we would be ready at five o'clock

We would be ready
To go fishing mackerel
At five o'clock

I could hear the fishermen talking

I could hear outside from different shacks
The fishermen talking about the weather
Then I would hear someone call "Simon (who was my father)

Simon - what do you think of the weather?"

He would answer, "Well,
It doesn't look too good.
Might as well go back to bed."

To bed...I felt very disappointed
I said, "Dad
How come we're not going out this morning?

The stars are all out
The sky is clear
And it is very calm."

He said, "Son,
Do you hear a funny noise?
A noise like the wind blowing.

That's the sea
Making that noise.

And the calmness
The calmness in the air.

That is a sure sign
Of a big southeast wind."

And by gosh

Within the hour
You could feel the wind picking up
You could see the white caps
Forming on the water

- Charles Doucet

Please join me this Thursday when I post an art show of thirteen pieces of my grandfather's art work, in honor of his birthday.

Janet says Brilliant! Loved it Julia :)

Systematic Weasel says Beautifully written!

Charles E. Doucet says Thanks so much, my wonderful niece!! The Found Poem moved me a great deal... I imagined myself standing with my father and grandfather in the darkness, with the fish shacks and sea at Grand Etang, waiting to go fishing for mackerel, listening to both of them talking... you gave me a real moment in their lives...thank you!