The woman in the straw hat hums
 

            as she seasons and pan fries the afternoon catch.
 

            Her faded fishing rod
 

            leans against a plastic bucket
 

            while her cat’s tail weaves
 

            then taps the wooden floor.
 

            The woman’s questioning eyes dart to the paned window--
 

            toward the echo of the sea--
 

            the click of halyard against mast.
 

            But, within this old house
 

            she remains,
 

            inspired and comforted
 

            by the salt-weathered clapboards.