Sailing Women

Wrapped in shrink wrap, winter set in,
proud sails neatly now tucked away,
lakes and rivers abandoned,
until comes a new summer day.

Men who left their office early,
their portfolio, their desk, or wrench,
and tasted the fruits of freedom,
tools, bacon-bringing left on bench.

The cap that broke the finicky wind,
hands callused from adjusting ropes,
he shared with her the dear pursuit,
that topped off his youthful hopes.

The concern she brought to the venture,
that grabbed the man's wistful dreams,
the effort and plans, application,
on canvas, timbers, mast and beams.

Dear time would they steal in the galley,
when there wasn't time to set sail,
and memories were made after dreaming,
over cuisine from the rustic lunch pail.

The women who, too, went sailing,
in midi skirts or jeans and mac
taking part, dreams late unfolding,
when priorities stopped holding back.

When the sharing, outing preparing,
brought about a new shine to the day,
skilled in the knack, not holding back,
billowing sails to take them away.