These questions are for before you read the poem:

1. Where are the two men, and what are they doing?
2. Consider what their past history might be?
3. Are they about to sign on to the ship in the background?
4. Discuss  the part played in the painting by the colours.

These questions are for Durcan's poem

1. What role does water play in the lives of these ex-sailors?
2. Why is the speaker in pain?
3. What have these men learned from life?
4. Where will they go from here?