The Old Boat

This is an image of an old fishing vessel. It rests silently in the center of the still water. The predominant hue of the vessel is a washed out teal, the color of sea water on an overcast day. But you can see that the paint has flaked and peeled off in several spots, revealing the rust beneath. These lines are stories of many a tough, long year working out on the ocean. On the side of the boat, in bright yellow paint, are two numbers and the boat’s name, which is also its identity. A thick rope is fastened to the bow, restraining the boat. A red metal frame is affixed at the top of the boat. From it dangles a tiny red flag,a little wisp of trailing fabric that improbably holds on to existence in the invisible breeze. Against the blue sky, it provides a little burst of color. Behind the vessel, the world is serene and quiet. It’s calm, and the water reflects the light. In the distant distance, you could just make out the undulating, misty silhouettes of mountains where the sky dips into the ocean. The sky is a dusty, cloudless blue. There aren’t any other boats or people nearby. The boat is the main focal point of the picture. The photo feels very true-to-life, as if it were taken on a tranquil morning. The boat isn’t glossy and spank new. It’s been around and has seen work. But in this light, surrounded by calm water, it’s pretty and noble. It makes you wonder how many storms it has braved, how many fish it might have hauled up. The photo is a modest homage to a life of hard work.