The Dock of the Bay

Sittin’ in the mornin’ sun

I’ll be sittin’ when the evenin’ come

Watching the ships roll in

And then I watch ‘em roll away again, yeah

I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay

Watching the tide roll away

Ooo, I’m just sittin’ on the dock of the bay

Wastin’ time

                                    -(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding           

I have spent my sabbatical year sittin’ on the dock of the bay.  My favorite spot has been a chair by a window that overlooks the Galway docks, marina, harbor and Galway Bay.  More than any place, this is what I will think of when I recall my time in Ireland. 

My spot on the dock of Galway Bay

Unlike the narrator in the song, I have not been wasting time.  About a week ago I finished a complete draft of my book.  I spent this last week going over materials, including every interview transcript, to make sure I haven’t left out anything important.  I begin the editing process tomorrow. 

I feel like my spot, on the dock of the bay, nourished me for my work.

As my time in Ireland draws to a close and I busy myself with the details of leaving, I find myself remembering the first time I walked into this apartment.  Kevin and I had seen a number of places and when we stepped foot into this apartment, we both knew.  This was it.  

The first few weeks, when everything was strange, I told myself that soon this place would feel familiar.  And it was.  However, one of the things I have loved the most about my location is how the world outside my window is in constant motion. 

            It’s two thousand miles I roamed

            Just to make this dock my home

            Now, I’m just gonna sit at the dock of the bay

            Watching the tide roll away

            Oooo- wee, sittin, on the dock of the bay

            Wastin’ time.