A Sailor's Story

A Sailor’s Story
Round and Round

One on the top, one on the ground ,
The sailor’s story goes round and round.

He stands, on the Gangway top,
Bags in hand,
Filled with shopping from world around,
Farewell shipmates,
Santa Clause is going Home,
Heart filled with joy, and Happiness.

The long awaited crushing hug,
Of little arms around the neck,
World’s sweetest kiss on the cheek.

Thirsty eyes of a mother
waiting for her son,
who could do no wrong
and harm no one.

The proud smile
On a father's face,
To see a son,
So well raised.

The torrent of passion held in check,
Waiting to be released,
With the beloved in arms,
followed by tears
Of longing and joy.

The Sun rises and the sun sets,
The days come and days fly,
It's time now to hear
the telephone ring , and
The unavoidable
Rustle of dollar green.

The bags are filled,
Shorn of the shopping,
Uniforms and Casuals,
The shaving kit and
The peripherals.

Once again a hug saying
Please don't go,
A stolen kiss,
With a promise,
Of wait for one more round.

He stands on the ground
At the bottom of the Gangway,
Approaching the job,
Memories of home
Kept out of the way,

No more emotions now,
It's time to send allotment
How much,when and how.

Eta's and Etd's,
Cold fronts and warm
Calm seas and rough seas,
Sunshine and storm.

Monthly reports, accounts,
Overhauls schedules,
Surveys and inspections
Maintenance and repairs.

A peg before dinner,
In the evening a movie
BBC news, world affairs,
Tales of the past ships
All the charade to make
Loneliness a bliss.

The weekly phone-calls.
Moments of laughter,
Moments of worry,
Can't do much from here,
I am sorry my Dear.

He waits again,
And how he waits,
To stand on top
Waiting for one
Who will stand on the ground,

One on top, one on the ground,
The sailors story goes round and round.



Captain Atul P Kale
M.V. Pytchley

(reproduced by kind permission from Capt Kale)
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