To Love A Sailor

Dad was a sailor

He sailed the high seas

During World War II

His mom had died

So he ran away from home

At the young age of fourteen

Lied his age

And joined the Merchant Marines

Joined the Navy when he turned sixteen

Toured Africa and France

On deck he was a Cook

and he wore a Chef's hat

The guns were so loud

that in one ear he went deaf

He caught Scarlet Fever

Ended up in Sick Bay

He never forgot the day

his ship sailed without him

For that ship went down

and he lost all his crew

No survivor's

He never talked about it much

But it came back to him in dreams

Many times he had nightmares

dreaming he was still at war

"Flashback's"

of memories never to be forgotten

Dad was decorated with metal's and honor's

for things that he did while he was there

but he never did brag

Dad loved the Navy

She was his devotion

But the sea

Is a jealous lover

 

Reviews

[Michael]

I can really relate to this one. Though I was never on a crew that was lost, I did loose shipmates. You do a very good job of capturing the feel of how a person feels about the sea - it is a jealous lover to say the least.

thanks for sharing it

[George Love]

Nicely penned

[Nick Erickson]

This is an excellent memoir of your father. I loved the flow and feeling of this poem, how everything was stated as a fact, no bragging, just like your father would have told the story - never bragging. It reminds me of my grandfather, who never bragged or looked for recognition. You had to always ask to be told about his past.

They were of a great era of greater men.

Excellent - Well done!!!

[Chaos]

I loved the flow of this piece. The motion felt as if you were on the sea. The ebb and flow of the words was soothing and it told the story well.

Nice write!