The Moorings at the End of the Garden

I rise with the sun this morning.
Our cat is waiting at the back door.

I pull on my wellington boots,
unlock the door and let her out.

I follow her across dew-soaked grass,
grown long, studded with forget-me-nots,

down to the back gate. She slips
though its slats while I stand and admire

boats bobbing ungainly on wind-kissed water,
ghosts in cloud-filtered morning light.

They creak and groan with the swell,
an other-worldly, tethered dance, tugging ropes taught,

clinking rigging, setting tarpaulin a-flutter,
eager to be among reeds, below trees, free on open water.

Kim M. Russell, 6th August 2026

For Denise’s Six Sentence Story Prompt this week, I have rewritten a poem I wrote for NaPoWriMo last April so that it consisted of six sentences. The prompt word, ‘slip’ was given last Sunday, “to use in a story, next scene, soc or portion of poetry in exactly 6 sentences.” The rules are easy to follow: Write 6 Sentences. No more. No less.

19 thoughts on “The Moorings at the End of the Garden”

  3. I really enjoyed the calm, reflective mood of this poem. The imagery is vivid, especially the dew-soaked grass, the forget-me-nots, and the boats “bobbing ungainly on wind-kissed water.” It creates a peaceful morning scene that gradually shifts into something deeper, where the boats almost seem to represent a quiet longing for freedom despite being tied in place. The contrast between the cat slipping effortlessly through the gate and the speaker pausing to observe the harbor made the ending especially meaningful. Overall, it’s a beautifully descriptive piece that invites the reader to slow down and appreciate the simple moments in nature while reflecting on themes of freedom and restraint.

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  5. I miss the ocean at dawn but your Six has the triggers… lol

    serially, it’s (imo) always the little things that show authenticity… the “clinking rigging”

    a small detail that says so much

    good Six

    (Word on the street is that the folks (and near-criminals) down at the Six Sentence Café & Bistro might be planning something of a poetry slam (or slamette)…we did one once a couple of years ago. fun…)

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  7. A beautiful piece, Kim. A visual and auditory delight, I enjoyed “… dew-soaked grass,
    grown long, studded with forget-me-nots    ,… “. I can close my eyes and easily hear the …”clinking rigging,…” 

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