Wracked Mermaid

Hoist the Jolly Roger

Help the captain of the Pirate Shellfishing Company get well

The townspeople of Wellfleet are showing their support for the recovery of Caleb Potter from his July 4th accident in a myriad of touching ways.  Donations to help his family with the medical expenses of upcoming surgeries are being taken at any Cape Cod Five branch, Caleb Potter Fund, Account 885054528.  Contributions can be mailed to  Cape Cod Five, Main Street, Wellfleet MA 02667.  Follow the example of one young local boy, who has donated his week's wages, which inspired his mother to do the same!

Caleb has been known to many as the Pirate swashbuckling through the center of town every year in the 4th of July Parade, and his aquaculture venture is known as the Pirate Shellfishing Company.  Naturally, the Jolly Roger has been showing up every where:  tied to trees along the road side, trailing from the back of pick-up trucks, planted in the lawn of Town Hall and waving high on an abondoned flagpole in the middle of uninhabited Cannon Hill, visible across from picturesque Uncle Tim's Bridge and all along Commercial Street. 

In this town steeped in the history and lure of piracy stretching back to the sinking of the Whydah on the shoals of South Wellfleet, to the present fascination spawned by serial blockbuster movies and soveigner shop staples, the sudden widespread hoisting of the Jolly Roger now takes on a new and comforting meaning.  It further emphasizes the many handwritten notes posted around town, "Pray for Caleb Potter". 

 And in a truly Wellfleetian demonstration of love, support and sharing of positive energy, friends and family met at the ocean for a "Paddle Out" prayer vigil, covered on the front page of today's CCTimes.  Like ancient Hawaiian holy men returning to the cradle of the eternal sea, a circle of nearly 100 participants gently bobbed on their surfboards, holding hands, and quietly reflecting on Caleb's recovery. 

 The Wracked Mermaid adds her deepest prayers for this young man's gentle recuperation, and wishes that Caleb may feel the peace and presence projected by the community's varied efforts to support him.

Donation cans are popping up in local businesses and events are being planned.  It seems that at times of challenge, even little outpost towns full of pirates and mermaids, a few poets and other off-beat characters can pull together to help one of their own. 

The Mermaid wishes to acknowledge that the first posting here was derived from the blog created and maintained by Skye, one very close to Caleb, and emails circulating with the news of his accident, the initiation of the Cape Cod Five Caleb Potter Fund, and replies reporting contributions to that fundraising effort.  Additonally, the glowing photograph is Skye's, from the blog.