Drifting away… by David Beede

We drift along rivers and bayous and sounds
Where heron, anhinga and gator abound
A finer back yard we never have found — We’re glad …

Got a poly tarp lugsail for when she blows
Bamboo push pole for moving her slow
10 horse kicker when we just gotta go— We’re glad…

We drift backwaters thru cypress trees
Push pole tells me its up to our knees
We draw just 6 inches so we go where we please — We’re…

Whitecaps start showing we lower our sail 
hunker down in the mangroves away from the gale 
So far our anchor chains never have failed... We’re glad…

Got a deep cycle battery and an ol’ solar cell
So when weather is brewin’ the radio yells
Now if all the jet skis would just blow to hell — We’d be glad....

I really got bit by the ‘lectronics craze
Got me a GPS for the mangrove maze
Without it I’m sure we’d be lost for days — I’m glad....

My great grandfather wasn’t born to the sea
Neither was grampa nor dad nor me
But it’s the closest that I’ve ever been to free — I’m glad....

Ain’t got much money, but what the heck
I ain’t got a boss who’s a pain in the neck
The sun rises and sets across our decks — We’re glad…

A fresh watermelon and a bag of ice
Simple pleasures, they seem to suffice
In our 8 by 20 foot paradise — We’re glad…

Can’t move too fast, so must take my time
Read a good book or make up a rhyme
I got my Carona and a twist of lime — I’m glad....

Got no seeum screens for mosquito swarms
A thirty pound anchor for when it storms
I jump on in if I get too warm — I’m glad....

Gets so quiet beneath the moon
Just a faint chuck-wills-widow tune
Looks like the current will turn us soon — I’m glad....

We eat pretty good when we’re afloat
Tomatoes and kale grow on the boat
Catch more catfish that a body can tote…We’re glad…

Don’t matter to us how long we’re gone
Got a pure water maker, and a composting john
Most folks think its crazy this journey we’re on— We’re
glad...