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To
the people of EXPLOITS whether home or far away,
I hope you will enjoy this poem as you read it to-day.
It's not
meant to be a story, but only memories,
And I hope you enjoy it as much as that land was enjoyed by me.
Now there
was the Old Wooden Bridge, Oh how well I do remember
How it did shake and crack by the cold winds of November,
And how it
held fast? Oh well: I'll never know
When the Horses from the West side to Lower Harbour did go.
Over the Salt-Water
ice every week in the winter,
Mail from Lewisporte was brought in all kinds of weather,
With a team
of good Huskies it came fast and quick,
When there was Whalebone for shoes on the old commatick.
On Candlemas
Day the trap-men would go
To the top of Look-Out-Hill through the snow.
And how much
fish next summer would run
They could tell by the light of the rising sun.
Then back
to the net lofts in a big hurry,
For the morning offtimes told a very good story.
Now there
was corks to be cut for the leader to float,
And tar to go on the bottom of old black boat.
By the middle
of winter with lots of snow about,
The wood for next fall had to come out,
On that Gull
Island Cove road you sure did fly
With the eight-horn slide loaded so high.
In over Lacey
Hill on Peyton's Pond,
Was sure to be found someone with stock skates on.
Then up to
the Club you would have to go
Waist deep down in the newly fallen snow.
The seals
came in in the Spring of the year,
And over the ice the men would go without a fear
A Harp or
a Hood they were sure to bring back
And at supper the platter was filled with flipper so black.
By this time
Spring was coming and Winter had passed
And your Lobster Pots you would be able to put out at last.
The Pots
would be thick down in the Lower Harbour,
So with white paint you would mark the end of your bobber.
Over in Burn
Cove that's on the West Side,
Cocks-and-Hens would be dug at the out going tide.
While up
in the back-ground so proud and so bold
Queen's Hill guards the Harbour below.
On the deep
dark waters of the Wester Ground,
A hunt for the bottom with your line you would sound.
And when
the sun far over the waters did loom;
You would be starting to put fish in the after room.
Now for a
cook on the rock--I think you will agree;
The Caplin Beach was the place to be,
Up through
Duck Island Tickle you had to go
Passing Shimmy Island which looked small; but bold.
The Red and
the Black Bouys the channel did mark,
So the "SS Clyde" could find her way in EXPLOITS after dark,
She make
a sweep in Butts Cove then around Budgells point,
Then steam down the Harbour and sometimes anchor all night.
On the Meeting
House Hill the Old Wigwam stood,
So tall and so firm made of strong heavy wood;
But the workmen
move in so calm and so cool
And removed it to build a beautiful School.
Over in Surgeons
Cove the pilots did stay,
After navigating the ships out the bay.
And high
upon the head, over Gull Island Bight
Shining so brightly was Surgeons Cove Light.
Now the Red
and the White paint on the light I was told
Was so you could see it from Big Muddy Hole.
And up in
the tower of that light we would talk
About the big sea breaking over Ships Run Rock.
Down on Nanny's
Old Head that was our favorite spot
For Partridge-Berry picking by every little tot.
With a Flour-Sack
Bag; and a little tin cup
You picked all day before coming up.
Now the girls
from EXPLOITS -- Oh well -- never mind,
I'll tell you about them some other time.
But there
is one thing, I think you'll agree
They sure could dance "Beautiful Katey".
And now in
parting I guess it is true
Of memories I've mentioned only a few.
But in your
mind I hope they will stay
Forever as a guide to brighten your day.
No Part of this page should be used
only for personal use ___Thank
You___
Researched; Designed;
and Posted by Cliff Lilly Little
Burnt Bay, NF. A0G 3B0
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