home from the sea

Home from the sea

he is walking into the town,
new trousers and jacket
bought in America, shiny shoes.
He smiles to the girls who smile back
he has money
in his pocket home from the sea.
He has many friends
they come in the bar to say halo,
beer is flowing he pays
home from the sea flush of money.
Smells of expensive after-shave
bought in America.
He is walking into town,
his jacket is no longer new and shoes
not shiny
he is broke does not go to the bar.
It is a dull day.
He goes down to the office
that hires seamen, ask if there is a job.
Not today, come back tomorrow.
The way back home is long and
rain falls.