Sailors and officiating volunteers (four generations of us) gathered
for the second time this season for the annual whimsical “sock burning” ritual
to which most of us gleefully added masks to the items to be burned (sailing clubs all over the country have such an event to celebrate barefoot season).
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| "This is fun!" |
Our first attempt on June 6th was rained out. Funny thing about our second attempt: It had been a beautiful sunny day until we gathered, had snacks laid out on the table, chairs arranged, fire ready to go, etc. Then suddenly, thunder, black clouds and a big red system on the radar had us rushing inside Arlene’s house where for the second time in several weeks we filled her living area with chairs, coolers, bodies, etc. Talk about a gracious hostess! The best we can figure, the “curse of the masks” was spurning the burning and was not going to go quietly. Sailors must adapt to changing conditions, so we took a different “tack”. We put a bin in the middle of the room and had our ceremonial reading of poetry as we tossed the nasty items into the bin. And no social distancing. Take THAT nasty “Rona”!
An actual burning of the contents of the bin was to be performed later by a volunteer “incinerator” who would have fewer event logistics to contend with. He promised proof of the burning would be provided. However, he has reported mysterious interferences to getting the task accomplished. Revisit this post for the eventual proof the socks and masks were turned to ashes.In the meantime:
We are incredibly grateful to Arlene Truex, harbormaster of the Grandview Yacht Club’s “home port” for opening her home to us.
Here are the poems read at the event:
Yippie!
Its sailing season again!
And so there flows from my pen
a poem to sea dogs courageous,
applause for their tactics outrageous,
and cheers for all yachtsmen who win
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| A masked man with a mask made of socks and binder clips read the following poem: |
Why did Clyde’s coworkers find his appearance so shocking?
He knew with Covid we sought virus blocking.
(Zoom meetings were routine At home in quarantine)
It wasn’t his “no pants” but that mask he’d made with wool stockings!
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| Arlene reads her prose |
Oh say do you see, it’s a mask that I have.
Its been inconvenient for a year,
so should I shed a tear,
or jump for joy as into the fire it goes.
A little of both I believe,
for it kept me safe and I didn’t get sick, allowing me to write this prose.
Goodbye little mask,
you did what I ask!
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| Into the bin goes Julia's mask |
Once we all had masks to wear,
but its hard to get enough air.
Now we are free!
I say this with glee!
And hope that you agree with me.
------
There once was a girl from MD
Who loved to spend time on the sea.
“I would love to sail”
she would say with a wail,
“but at least I’m on the boat “Committee””.
------
There once was a lady named Mimi
who fit in a turquoise bikini
when she was younger
(she suffered from hunger).
Now she eats pasta and blini
(or now swallows an olive martini).
-----
With these masks we have all gone a bit beserk.
I’m not sure they really work.
But to keep people at ease and not be a jerk
the mandate I did not shirk.
But now that I’ve been vaccinated,
It’s time for these blasted masks to be incinerated!
-----
These socks I’ve worn all winter long.
Their odor is so strong,
to keep them in circulation would just be wrong.
Because even after washing
they are still in need of tossing.
A more fitting end to them, from the GYC I am learning
is to celebrate their burning
A contrary attitude toward this mask burning glee was expressed poetically:
When my life is at stake
I’ll use a mask and distance make.
To help the situation
I won’t burn a possible solution…. I’ll wear it.
