Staithes still stands

Nestled, snuggled, scorning to hide
in the crook of Crowbar’s arm
from the savaging salt frenzy
of the wrecking ocean
swallowing the harbour
broiling over the “Cod and Lobster”
scurrying half up the first flight of street
Staithes still stands
fierce in fishermen’s pride
and full of humility
in the face of the infinite
washing her doorsteps
calling in the falling thunder of seas
in the night air
touching the soul’s quick
in hymns of other-world gull choirs
crescendos of piercing jubilation
shattered in a thousand cliff-ricochets
till lilting lament of the last gull
for every heart ever broken
still the will
slipping still-winged over
into sleep
nestled, snuggled, scorning to hide
in the crook of Crowbar’s arm
till the first gull recalls
the day to Staithes.

Chris Percy, resident of Staithes