"Oarlock" by Milo Popken (Lincoln County Winner)

The curly fog emanates throughout the cresting waves

Pushing, pushing, pushing the life of the sea floor towards

The northern spheres of glowing light, seeking a path

Out of the churning waves, my boat travels through the misty fog

And sets eyes on a familiar sight:

A wooden frame with steel cleats appears in the distance

And so does a ring of sturdy turnabouts.

I gently put my oars in the oarlocks and keep on rowing

As I come closer

And closer

And then I arrive at the dock.

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Milo Popken, ten years old, lives in South Bristol, with his parents and cat, Duvel. He enjoys reading and writing with Duvel, in bed, after a day at Bristol Consolidated School. “Oarlock” was originally a dedication to his teachers at Boothbay Sea and Science Center (BSSC). The poem was inspired by his time sailing and rowing out on the Damariscotta River.