The Ninth Life Of Pilar

Now that Avemar was resting at anchor
All was calm and quiet, the water flat.
Hours before you’d have thought that waves sank her,
Not from the weather, but because of a cat!

The sea was smooth and the breeze was light.
Dragonflies flitted about while the cat napped on my lap.
It was hot and humid, the cloudy sky white.
The sails were full, and I was checking the map.

We were sailing slowly, only making a few knots
The cat leapt to the rail and then layed down.
I could see wind on the water, but only in spots.
When all of a sudden, I heard a SPLASH sound!

I didn’t see it happen but knew what to do,
Hard over with the helm, like you would in a tack.
The jib wasn’t cut, the boat turned and we hove-to.
The cat had chased a dragonfly right off the back!

I locked down the wheel and threw a life sling.
It floated aft of the stern, the situation was grim!
Lessons were learned: Untangle the rope before you fling,
And… Who knew? Cats can swim!

Time seemed to stand still drifting towards the kitten.
She swam to the boat, or at least in that general direction.
Notes to self: Use the pet leash and/or more supervision,
And heaving-to was the right course correction.

With the fish net stowed below, that option was out.
I jumped from the cockpit and was prone on the deck,
Slipping over the side I hung on somehow, complete with a shout.
The cat was in reach, back aboard by the scruff of her neck.

Pilar was tired and wet and I was as well.
We’re both on the boat, don’t know how long that took.
The day was over and there’s a good yarn to tell
About how nice it was that night to be safe on the hook.

###