Commercial fishing and poetry mesh at the 21st gathering of the FisherPoets
Work poetry has a hallowed history, but poetry inspired by commercial fishing is relatively new. In Astoria, Ore., people from all over the Pacific Northwest get together to read, recite and absorb chapter and verse about the hard labour aboard a fishing vessel, their "home on the rolling deep; Where the scattered waters rave, And the winds their revels keep!"
More than twenty years ago now, writer, musician and commercial fisherman Jon Broderick organized the first FisherPoets gathering. He was inspired by Canadian Tom Wayman, a pioneer in work poetry.
Now the event draws people from all over the Pacific Northwest. It's a chance to talk about life on the boats before the hard slog of fishing for a living takes over again.
Click 'listen' above to hear Melanie Sevcenko's documentary.