Old Sailor Dan
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 10:33 am
Here is another 'oldie' I have promised myself to visit & re-write in the new year.
Old Sailor Dan
I’m ushered to his room which stands by the sea
he’s watching the ocean while sipping his tea
then with gravelled voice says “come here sit with me”
“this interview, I’m glad the home did agree”.
Now shaking my hand I can feel his strong grip
passed me some tea, then I slowly take a sip
deepest blue eyes, brown smoke stained bottom lip
skin like leather, from many an ocean trip.
He views the vast ocean from this patio height
on the wall two lanterns of green and red light
there under the red one, positioned just right
there’s an old ship’s bell he keeps polished so bright.
Looks out to sea, and knows where he belongs
to ride the waves, his heart forever longs
then at life’s end, upon this earth no longer
he will join his mates at Davey Jones’s locker.
“I’m the son of a sailor” I’m proud to say
my grandfather sailed to ports far away
he sailed the cold nights or the heat of day
to tropical islands where pretty girls would play.
My father died at sea during world war one
German U-boats on a deadly hunting run
this part of my life now truly came undone
mother disappeared, never to see her Son.
Thankful for those years, my Uncle and Aunt’s love
the roof over head, when rains fell from above
calling of the ocean, born into my blood
on a freighter, my sweat’s flowing like a flood.
Looks out to sea, and knows where he belongs
to ride the waves, his heart forever longs
then at life’s end, upon this earth no longer
he will join his mates at Davey Jones’s locker.
Those happy times, a fulfillment in my heart
my love the ocean and I would never part
then 1941 a new merchant ship, a fresh start
Jack telling stories serving on “Cutty Sark”.
Then one day the horrors of war came to be
nightmares I wish no generation to see
sunk by “zero’s” crew survived, except for three
watching old Jack disappear beneath the sea.
Now Dan sits there, gazing at the horizon
chuckling watching kids, jumping from a pylon
his life was exciting when called upon
He said “It was great when their free time was on”.
Looks out to sea, and knows where he belongs
to ride the waves, his heart forever longs
then at life’s end, upon this earth no longer
he will join his mates at Davey Jones’s locker.
Jamaican Islands where pretty girls would sing
never married, for one girl was not my thing
but one maiden made me feel like settling
my Irish rose, I promised a wedding ring.
My new true love, who could stop my ocean plight
to spend my final days with her in my sight
return to that village, take her as my wife
I lost all contact, almost losing my life.
Son, I spent my life, on the crest of a wave
seen royalty, poverty, saved some slaves
and I lost many friends to an ocean’s grave
so now I pass to you my memoirs to save.
Looks out to sea, and knows where he belongs
to ride the waves, his heart forever longs
then at life’s end, upon this earth no longer
he will join his mates at Davey Jones’s locker.
Months have now passed, I still think of old Dan
I wrote the life journey of this humble man
t’was not his story drawing me to this land
or the deep proud feeling when shaking his hand.
Never told him of my father passing away
nor what I found in his attic the next day
my grandmother’s picture with faded bouquet
she wrote “Dan, for your safety and love I pray”
I cried at Dan’s funeral, held by the sea
knowing for him, nowhere else he’d rather be
joining Dad and Grand mum, together as three
and finding my Granddad was closure for me.
Looks out to sea, and knows where he belongs
to ride the waves, his heart forever longs
then at life’s end, upon this earth no longer
he will join his mates at Davey Jones’s locker.
David J Delaney
17/07/2007
Old Sailor Dan
I’m ushered to his room which stands by the sea
he’s watching the ocean while sipping his tea
then with gravelled voice says “come here sit with me”
“this interview, I’m glad the home did agree”.
Now shaking my hand I can feel his strong grip
passed me some tea, then I slowly take a sip
deepest blue eyes, brown smoke stained bottom lip
skin like leather, from many an ocean trip.
He views the vast ocean from this patio height
on the wall two lanterns of green and red light
there under the red one, positioned just right
there’s an old ship’s bell he keeps polished so bright.
Looks out to sea, and knows where he belongs
to ride the waves, his heart forever longs
then at life’s end, upon this earth no longer
he will join his mates at Davey Jones’s locker.
“I’m the son of a sailor” I’m proud to say
my grandfather sailed to ports far away
he sailed the cold nights or the heat of day
to tropical islands where pretty girls would play.
My father died at sea during world war one
German U-boats on a deadly hunting run
this part of my life now truly came undone
mother disappeared, never to see her Son.
Thankful for those years, my Uncle and Aunt’s love
the roof over head, when rains fell from above
calling of the ocean, born into my blood
on a freighter, my sweat’s flowing like a flood.
Looks out to sea, and knows where he belongs
to ride the waves, his heart forever longs
then at life’s end, upon this earth no longer
he will join his mates at Davey Jones’s locker.
Those happy times, a fulfillment in my heart
my love the ocean and I would never part
then 1941 a new merchant ship, a fresh start
Jack telling stories serving on “Cutty Sark”.
Then one day the horrors of war came to be
nightmares I wish no generation to see
sunk by “zero’s” crew survived, except for three
watching old Jack disappear beneath the sea.
Now Dan sits there, gazing at the horizon
chuckling watching kids, jumping from a pylon
his life was exciting when called upon
He said “It was great when their free time was on”.
Looks out to sea, and knows where he belongs
to ride the waves, his heart forever longs
then at life’s end, upon this earth no longer
he will join his mates at Davey Jones’s locker.
Jamaican Islands where pretty girls would sing
never married, for one girl was not my thing
but one maiden made me feel like settling
my Irish rose, I promised a wedding ring.
My new true love, who could stop my ocean plight
to spend my final days with her in my sight
return to that village, take her as my wife
I lost all contact, almost losing my life.
Son, I spent my life, on the crest of a wave
seen royalty, poverty, saved some slaves
and I lost many friends to an ocean’s grave
so now I pass to you my memoirs to save.
Looks out to sea, and knows where he belongs
to ride the waves, his heart forever longs
then at life’s end, upon this earth no longer
he will join his mates at Davey Jones’s locker.
Months have now passed, I still think of old Dan
I wrote the life journey of this humble man
t’was not his story drawing me to this land
or the deep proud feeling when shaking his hand.
Never told him of my father passing away
nor what I found in his attic the next day
my grandmother’s picture with faded bouquet
she wrote “Dan, for your safety and love I pray”
I cried at Dan’s funeral, held by the sea
knowing for him, nowhere else he’d rather be
joining Dad and Grand mum, together as three
and finding my Granddad was closure for me.
Looks out to sea, and knows where he belongs
to ride the waves, his heart forever longs
then at life’s end, upon this earth no longer
he will join his mates at Davey Jones’s locker.
David J Delaney
17/07/2007
a project for the new year eh!