My Father, My Captain

A memory from youth

My Father, My Captain

 

Upon the deck of my father’s boat

With crayons I write him a loving note

 

Waves splashing spray sparkling in the sun

I’ve come to learn how much sailing is fun

 

We sail, we swim, we fish, we sing

Returning home, what great memories we bring

 

A blanket with holes that covers the sky

Giving us twinkling stars across the night

 

My father, my captain, tucks me in bed

The galley’s clean, my belly’s fed

 

The rolling waves will rock me to sleep

At sunrise I will play at my father’s feet

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

A very nice memory shared here. I hope the youth of today will be able to relate similar things 50 years hence.

[Rhayne]

Thank you, John. I hope so too. I've tried to raise my own three children the way my Dad raised me and judging how they've turned out, I'm proud.

[Re-Pete]

so sweet. sounds like a wonderful way to set sail. what wonderful memories. smooth, joyful flow to your words that surely floats my boat ... :)

[Rhayne]

Thanks so much for reading and for the kind review!

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem shared. To be with your father. Celebrate life together. The best memories. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Rhayne]

Thank you for reading. You're much appreciated.

[Coyote Poetry]

Was my pleasure and you are welcome.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A charming little rhyming ditty eulogising your special respect and love for your dear father. Sounds like growing up was fun!

[Rhayne]

Thanks for the kind words. I really did have a special Dad. If I was a fraction of a Mom as he was a Dad, then my children feel lucky too.

[Paul Bell]

Me thinks your dad was pretty special.
Actually, sailing around and sleeping under the stars sounds fantastic.
This is an upbringing for learning through fun, just the way it should be.

[Rhayne]

My Dad loved the ocean and deep sea fishing, pier fishing, surf fishing, all kinds of fishing. He was the highlight of my childhood. When I was in the third grade, I was having trouble with math. He took me to the cemetery where my Grandparents were buried. It was very old and had Civil War soldiers buried there too. He would have me figure out their ages while telling me his knowledge of the Civil War. So, I was getting a math and history lesson at the same time. Seeing the graves and the old headstones made it more real than sitting in a classroom. Yes, my Dad was very special. Thanks so much for reading.

[Paul Bell]

Definitely a great way to learn math, and history thrown in also.

[barleygirl]

WOW! This is beautiful! I love how you use simple straightforward conversational expressions with a sing-song cadence like a nursery rhyme, becuz it really reflects the simple way a child looks at life. I had an abusive childhood so I never embrace reading poems about dads, but this one I really did enjoy. You totally transported me from any preconceived notion I have had about bad fathering! You put me into the shoes of a totally adoring child remembering a fond experience with dad! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Rhayne]

I wasn't very close to my Mom but my Dad was my hero, the moon and stars to me. What I didn't get from my Mom, he gave ten-fold. All my great memories of childhood were made with my Dad. I miss him so much. Thanks for your wonderful review.

[Samuel Dickens]

How well you've preserved this precious memory. I never had a daughter but wish I had. Oh, my, would I have spoiled her. Want to go sailing? You bet!

[Rhayne]

Trust me, I was beyond spoiled. The Lord could not have given me a better Father, He just couldn't have. There's no love like that between a Daddy and his baby girl, and I was definitely a Daddy's Girl. Thanks for reading.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

reminds me of swimming, fishing, traveling with my dad...those are sweet memories and thank you for bringing them back for me...
He's been gone a few years now, but is still always with me.
This is a beautiful write.
j.

[Rhayne]

My Dad passed in 93 and I still miss him as if it were just a few days ago. Sometimes I think I smell his pipe, that chocolatey aroma that always reminded me of Christmas. Thanks for reading and I'm so glad it brought you pleasant memories too.