Men of Aran

curraghs
on
their rocky rests
are awakened
in
the early dawn
by
fishermen
whose rugged hands
have tamed rough waters
and
garnered touch catches
to feed their families
with more than
famine fare

days until dark
entwine
the fishers’ life
like
knotted nets
and
knitted knots

and then
it’s home again
to
shawled and worried wives
where
welcomes wait
for those
who
have once more escaped
danger’s
cruel fate