Stages <br /> <br /> Those structures so valued by those who did roam<br /> The men who fished from our island home<br /> They were built very close to the ocean tide<br /> And every timber was placed with pride<br /> <br /> When first we viewed them along our coast<br /> They were something which we were fond to toast<br /> For we knew the work to put them in place<br /> Was emblematic of a sturdy race<br /> <br /> Erected often against a rock face<br /> Held securely and carefully pinned in place<br /> They were landing spots to offload pounds<br /> Of harvested fish from the far offshore grounds<br /> <br /> In sturdy boats manned by men so stout<br /> Who knew the ocean inside and out<br /> Who worked so comfortably midst ocean&acirc;€™s motion<br /> Who, when admired would ask, &acirc;€œwhat&acirc;€™s all the commotion&acirc;€<br /> <br /> Although looking precarious against the rock faces<br /> They withstood wind and tide and held their places<br /> Which oft times held us in utter awe<br /> Especially through the harshest spring&acirc;€™s thaw<br /> <br /> <br /> The fish were pronged to the stage head above<br /> Then headed and gutted in the room with love<br /> And young lads they took the tongues for their own<br /> Young entrepreneurs all and fully home-grown<br /> <br /> And harvested livers were placed in a vat<br /> To render to cod oil right where they sat <br /> The oil from them fuelled foreign lamps galore<br /> Nothing was wasted that was for sure<br /> <br /> So be proud of your forefathers&acirc;€™ industry and drive<br /> Their life of hard work on which they did thrive<br /> To produce a nation so proud and so true<br /> Held dear by kinfolk like me and like you<br /> <br /> <br /> John Cornick<br /> Halifax, Nova Scotia<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />   Submitted By: John Cornick