Manly all Manly by the Sea

 

Many came to this shady place from across the open sea.

Many flown by boat and plane, but none had actually swum.

Arriving in ancient aim, born or as a pure economic refugee,

Most with no invite or visa, and none to the beat of a drum.

 

This cool shadowy place, in afternoon’s sleepy comfort,

Stolen from each before, in humpy, in tent or apartment.

Their silent echoes, containing a long forgotten thought,

Thriving trade breezes, authority couldn’t tax or prevent.

 

Why we keep returning, all after an absence of years,

None really fathom and the yachtsmen least of all.

It’s likely the weather but few among us really cares,

More likely the ambience, more a mood we all enthral.

 

Gatherer, hunter, fisherman, farmer or bludger,

In all a fearsome custodial tribe yet to emerge.

Except one borrowing a berth or at bay’s anchor,

In his dream, a vast ownerless home of converge.