Boats

[darrels joy]

I keep thinking about what you posted "I was told I had one week to live"

I'm tired of saying goodbye to people that are already gone so this is for you.

Not a sailor. Just a mother of one and a daughter of another.
Joy

OLD SAILORS


Old sailors sit and chew the fat

'bout how things used to be

Of the things they've seen

and places they've been

When they ventured out to sea.



They remember friends from long ago

and the times they had back then

of the money they've spilled

and the beer they've swilled

In their days as sailing men.



Their lives are lived in days gone by

with thoughts that forever last

of cracker-jack hats

and bell-bottom blues

and the good times in their past.



They recall long nights with a moon so bright

far out on a lonely sea

and the thoughts they had

as youthful lads

When their lives were unbridled and free.



They know so well how their hearts would swell

when the flag fluttered proud and free

and the stars and the stripes

made such beautiful sights

as they plowed through an angry sea.



They talk of the bread ole' cookie would bake

and the shrill of the bosun's pipe

and how the salt spray fell

like sparks out of hell

When a storm struck in the night.



They remember mates already gone

who forever hold a spot

In the stories of old

when sailors were bold

and lubbers were a pitiful lot.



They rode their ships through many a storm

when the sea was showing its might

And the mighty waves

could be digging their graves

as they sailed on through the night.



They speak of nights in a bawdy house

somewhere on a foreign shore

and the beer they'd down

as they gathered around

cracking jokes with a busty whore.



Their sailing days are gone away

Never more will they cross the brow

But they have no regrets

for they know they've been blessed

'cause they honored their sacred vow.



Their numbers grow less with each passing day

as their chits in this life are called in

But they've nothing to lose

for they've all paid their dues

and they'll sail with their shipmates again.



I've heard them say before getting underway

that there's still some sailin' to do

and they'll exclaim with a grin

that their ship has come in

and the Lord is commanding the crew.

***



?Larry Dunn

June 4, 2001