Panama by Eric Shelman

Panama

By Eric Shelman

While in Panama

on our ship's Anchor Detail, I manned the anchor brake and was a rigger

as I watched the water rise and fall in each lock, horizon, and the clouds for six hours

boredom and hunger set in 

my excitement came about because l knew at some point we would moor to their port

would finally be free on liberty

to drink local wines, beers, liquors, and American domestic beers

consume local and American foods

walk around aimlessly

go to exotic dancers clubs

see whatever sights they had to offer 

having fun distracting myself from this wretchful madness

our ship was completely vulnerable due being stuck without any way to maneuver.

frequently had bloody noses every five minutes due to heat, humidity, and being on the equator.

Extremely hard to breathe because the humidity was horrendous.

Soaking in my own sweat just from standing still outside for ten minutes.

Everywhere was extremely clean with no litter or trash anywhere because they took their trash out on a barge, to an island and burnt it.

As daybreak began

heaving to the lines that bound us to the Earth

we sailed off to a new adventure.