Dreams of Ship and Sea

2 Comments

Poem Commentary

Spending several years on the Destroyer USS LAFFEY DD-724 during WWII and Korea I dedicate this to my fellow Shipmates and all Destroyer Sailors who are the finest in the world.

Dreams of Ship and Sea

I dreamed a dream the other night.... a dream of Ship and Sea.
A deck beneath my feet once more... the Sailor ..it was me.
I dreamed I was at Sea again....On the rolling Sea once more.
I dreamed I was at Sea again... a thousand miles from shore.
I felt the coldness of the Deck, the spray upon my face.
I prayed that this was just a dream ... I'd awake in some safe place.
Alarms began to echo now,... my spine, it sensed a chill...
Was this again the enemy... or just another drill?
I made my way to the O-1 deck... by inches, on my knees.
The ladder to the Bridge in sight...."Lord help me,if you please!
The railing now within my grasp... I pulled myself upright...Somehow I made that awful climb.... my station now in sight.
Helmut on...Crew in place...Phones were now plugged in.
"Sky 1.. is manned and ready Sir.. .Let the"fun" begin!
We spent the better part that night... searching Sea and Sky..... The minutes stretched to hours... still no action ...or reply.
As dawn began to break...with Sunrise ending night...
We secured all Battle Stations... It would end without a fight.
The Ships routine was normal now...All hands were in their place...Fears and worries all but gone...There were smiles on every face.
I dream that dream quite often now... That Dream of Ship and Sea...A Dream of Shipmates tried and true... of times that used to be.
So if by chance you share this love... of Ship... of wind..and Sea...
Just "Pipe"yourself aboard some night..... Come Dream that Dream with me..

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GentleT commented on Dreams of Ship and Sea

06-21-2009

I would imagine that one would never get past being in battles on the seas. But I'm glad that the love of the ocean wasn't overcome by the fury and pressure of battle. I enjoyed reading and could feel the suspense of the beginning of the dream then the calm of ocean breezes and sailing on the sea.

JFolino

06/22/2009

Thank you for your comment. On smaller ships, (Destroyers) the crew is closer to each other. There isn't much room for recreational activities. The crew "bonds" closer than with larger ships and evryone knows each other by name , etc. It was a long time ago ... the world was a much "different place" then The love for the "Ship" and the concern for each other, along with the beauty and power of the Sea has a way sharing the respect. Again I thank you for your comment and concern. JFolino

Poetry is what is lost in translation.

Robert Frost (1875-1963) American Poet.

JFolino’s Poems (5)

Title Comments
Title Comments
AN EXPRESSION OF LOVE 1
SEASONS OF HOME 0
TO LOVE YOU 2
THOUGHTS OF YESTERDAY 1
Dreams of Ship and Sea 2