Maine Chanty

by FRANCIS W. HATCH

How do we learn
On Penobscot Bay
The New York Yacht Club’s
Cruising our way?
Whiskies and gins,
The gourmet’s pride,
Come bobbling in
On the rising tide —
Seldom the brands
We find on shore,
Offered at Bangor’s
Liquor store;
Empties tossed
By white-coated stewards,
Empties lost
As they bobble to leeward,
Spreading the news
Around the bay,
The New York Yacht Club’s
Passed our way;
Written in glass
Where sandpeeps skitter,
High up the beach
In the tide-rack’s litter.