Galley Bitch —for DH
Wake at 4 to be on time for my first job cutting squid on the St. Anthony. The gulls in Captree State Park are furious for fish and gas sheens the surface. I am inspired by what’s happening. Captain Bill tells me I'll be pretty when I grow boobs and hands me an ice-pick. The block of ice weighs twenty pounds. I'll inspire my people too, show them how to pull the spines from squid while smoking. The mates already know this trick. They sit in the cabin with coffee and cards, wait for fish. There's not any question about girls being strong, about the open bay, about survival at stake. I'd love to make some food for pay but here everything’s frozen, everyone drunk. I hate one mate so I ash his burger. I fall asleep in the galley and wake to his revenge: a blowfish bloats my pocket. I take this bloody lesson with me.
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