Ben to Sea

Ben to Sea

A Poem by Steve Kittell

I am Ben and I’m off to sea,

ships ahoy and aye, aye matey.

I’ll sail all the oceans blue,

or maybe just a chosen few.

*

Pack my coat and hat for my head.

Bring a blanket for my new bed.

Teddy must stay with all my toys.

Sailors don’t need them, just small boys.

*

I’ll have no school or boring chores.

Just climbing rigging, manning oars.

I’ll tie knots and tell sea tales -

of pirates treasure, storms and whales.

*

I’ll sleep at sunset, rise at dawn.

Then swab the decks not mow the lawn.

I’ll eat ships biscuit and dried peas.

But hold the weevils if you please.

*

I’ll make new friends, captain and crew.

I’ll polish the brass just like new.

I’ll travel to faraway lands.

See new faces, shake lots of hands.

*

I’ll grow muscles and learn to swim,

never a splash over the rim.

I’ll grow a beard and get a tan.

Mom won’t know her new little man.

*

I’ll tattoo her name on my chest.

Then she’ll know I love her best.

I’ll miss my cat, sister and dad.

I hope leaving won’t make them sad.

*

But I’ll return with gifts for all.

Dads will be big and sister’s small.

Jewels for mom, fish for my cat.

Gramps will get a new sailors hat.

*

Now mom’s calling, bedtime is near.

My journey starts, nothing to fear.

My tub is full, ships wait for me.

Always too short, my trips to the sea.

*

I rub and scrub and have some fun.

Until mom says my bath is done.

Voyage over, out goes the light.

Snug in my bunk I’ll say goodnight.

*

The End

~

Sck090214

© 2014 Steve Kittell


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I am Ben and I’m off to sea,

ships ahoy and aye, aye matey.
[RHYME CAN BE BETTER. STRESS IN MATEY SHOULD BE ON THE FIRST SYLLABLE. DOESN'T GO WELL WITH SEA. METER CAN BE IMPROVED

I’ll sail all the oceans blue,

or maybe just a chosen few.

*

Pack my coat and {A} hat for my head.

Bring a blanket for my new bed. [IS HE TALKING TO SOMEONE OR TELLS ABOUT HIMSELF?]

Teddy must stay with all my toys.

Sailors don’t need them, just small[BETTER LITTLE] boys.

*

I’ll have no school or boring chores.[HOW OLD?]

Just climbing rigging, manning oars.[RIGGING -WORD DIFFICULT FOR YOUNG KIDS]

I’ll tie knots and tell sea tales -

of pirates treasure, storms and whales.

*

I’ll sleep at sunset, rise at dawn.

Then swab the decks not mow the lawn.[DOES SUCH A YOUNG KID MOW THE LAWN? THE MACHINE IS SUPPOSED TO BE HEAVY]

I’ll eat ships biscuit and dried peas.

But hold the weevils if you please.[BOLL WEEVILS? THIS IS A LAND INSECT , NOT MARINE]

*

I’ll make new friends, captain and crew.

I’ll polish the brass just like new.

I’ll travel to faraway lands.

See new faces, shake lots of hands.

*

I’ll grow muscles and learn to swim,

never a splash over the rim.[SO HE CAN'T SWIM YET?]

I’ll grow a beard and get a tan.

Mom won’t know her new little man.

*

I’ll tattoo her name on my chest.

Then she’ll know I love her best.

I’ll miss my cat, sister and dad.

I hope leaving won’t make them sad.

*

But I’ll return with gifts for all.

Dads will be big and sister’s small.

Jewels for mom, fish for my cat.

Gramps will get a new sailors hat.

*

Now mom’s calling, bedtime is near.

My journey starts, nothing to fear.

My tub is full, ships wait for me.

Always too short, my trips to the sea.[VERY NICE]

*

I rub and scrub and have some fun.

Until mom says my bath is done.

Voyage over, out goes the light.

Snug in my bunk I’ll say goodnight.

*

The End

~

Sck090214
{CLOSING COMMENTS: THE IDEA IS VERY GOOD, CAN BE A BEATIFUL SONG FOR YOUNG KIDS. IT IS NOT CLEAR WHAT AGE IT IS ADDRESSED TO. MUM CALLING TO BATH IS YOUNG (PRE-SCHOOL?] BUT HE GOES TO SCHOOL. NURSERY SCHOOL? RHYME AND METER SHOULD BE IMPROVED. CHOICE OF WORDS - SOME ARE ABOVE THE HEADS OF YOUNG KIDS]


Posted 7 Years Ago


Great fun poem that kids would just love. I can see it as a children's book with illustrations.

Beccy.

Posted 10 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.


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531 Views
2 Reviews
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Added on September 2, 2014
Last Updated on September 2, 2014
Tags: poem, children"s story, family, bedtime, voyage, love

Author

Steve Kittell
Steve Kittell

In the shadow of Windmill Cottage, East Greenwich, RI



About
Having suffered almost fifty years of writers block I'm back, picking up exactly where I left off, as a mischievous five year old. Current chidren's poems can be seen at: http://www.childrens-stori.. more..

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