Three brothers lived in the little cove
John, Will and Mike were their names.
They fished together all their lives
Each one possessed a talent of his own
Which, combined with the others, helped
Secure a livelihood for their families.

John was the Skipper. It was he
Who decided where the trap was set.
It was his job to see the nets were
Ready for the season, that any repairs were made,
The salt was ordered and stored in the pound,
He ran the show, you might say.

Will was the boatbuilder, and a good one.
People came to him to have theirs built.
His reputation was known far and wide
But it was the building of their own boat
That really show his pride and workmanship
He laboured long hours all winter long.

Mike, he was the engineer, motors were his thing
He had sized up the boats his brother built
Knew the size and horsepower that was just right
Supervised the installation and the bolting down
He knew the inner workings, knew it was ideal
For the job and how to keep it running.

Now it must be noted here that neither
Of these men had any formal training
Not one of them had been to a trade school
Or a Marine Institute, though it could be said
They were experts in their field, their talent
Was natural and God given.

They were different from one another.
They lived in houses that were very different
In style and appearance, though each was sturdy and well built
Most likely by their own hand
More importantly, they were filled with
Loving wives and family, dear to all three.

On the water each man worked with the other
No one questioned John when he said
Here we’ll set up our berth.
John didn’t wonder if the boat was up to the task
Sure didn’t brother Will make it with his own hands?
And if that engine were to fail,
Wouldn’t Mike fix it fast.

They worked together for many years
This Trinity of men, with that special
Bond between them, the skills of each
Combined for the good of all three.
Will was the first to go, then John
some years later, Mike was the last.

Cyril Griffin
New Perlican, NL