THE MARINER

by David G Dickenson

WE WENT TO THE SEASIDE MY FATHER AND ME
I STOOD THERE AMAZED AS HE LOOKED OUT TO SEA
HIS THOUGHTS WERE OF SHIPS AND DAYS ON THE WAVE
OF HIS MATES ALL DECEASED TO A WATERY GRAVE

MEMORIES DIE HARD FOR MERCHANTMEN TRUE
WHO BRAVED ALL THE OCEANS TO BRING TRADE HOME FOR YOU
REMEMBER THEM WELL WHEN POPPIES RAIN DOWN
AND THE UNSUNG HEROES OF MARINERS TOWN

WELL MY DAD IS NO MORE HIS MEMORY DEAR
OF A MAN MADE OF SALT HIS DUTY SO CLEAR
TO RETURN TO THE SEA OF WHICH HE ADORED
HIS FIFTY THREE ARTICLES PACKED READY AND STORED

* 53 articles - a clean pair of socks and a pack of cards