Tin Can Sailor

a remembrance of my dad telling war stories after dinner. He was a hard man and I didn't get along that well with him but I appreciate what I learned from him & what he accomplished with his life.

Dinner time over

cigarette butted out

in his leftover food-

plate pushed about

 

by heavy veined hand

of age spotted skin-

palms once strong

now withered and thin.

 

He fled the coal mines

eighteen years young

and coal miner family's

curse of  black lung.

 

Served the U.S. Navy

twenty-seven years

great loving pride

and share of tears.

 

Now he relives

with three young sons

the Pacific Theater

and nine battles won.

 

Cigarette pack placed

on table, flat side up-

silver lighter ahead

near coffee cup.

 

Tapping with fingers,

"Yorktown at Coral Sea,

Russell, my destroyer -

battle radar with me

 

on forward screen

at battle's start-

throwing heavy flack

trying to do our part.

 

We lost Lady Lex

by end of  that day

but we were victors-

made the enemy pay."

 

Only part of much

repeated battle lore

from a Tin Can sailor

who came ashore.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I loved the poetry Carl. You described my father. He added a bottle of rum.
"Cigarette pack placed
on table, flat side up-
silver lighter ahead
near coffee cup."
The above lines. I do remember. Thank you my friend for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[carl]

thanks for the read and review and for the touchstone to your own memories. -carl

[Andra Dare]

Each line fills a vivid canvas in my mind, stroke by stroke. Impressive. Thank you.

[carl]

thanks for the read and review, much appreciated, carl

[slfisher89]

wonderful imagery; I feel empathy and compassion for the old man; as he ponders over his past. I can definitely see you unpacking his compact life story within the poem; then, building a detail rich short story.

[carl]

thanks for the read and review, I felt a real need to include facts concerning dad's background to give perspective to him and his war time events. much appreciated, carl

[The_Ancient_Rock]

Tin can sailors indeed...

Great poem!

I really enjoyed it.

[carl]

your read and review greatly appreciated, thanks - carl

[The_Ancient_Rock]

You are most welcome friend.

Will keep on doing so... as long I have the time.

;)

[Chris Shaw]

Twenty seven years in the US navy. That is an incredible amount of service that your Dad gave to his country. He had every right to have pride in that. He clearly enjoyed time with his sons too. I liked this after dinner tale and I could imagine your Dad with you and your siblings reliving his battles. Something he wanted to share and appears to be a special memory for you. The appreciation of him and his accomplishments was evident in this poem. Nicely conveyed narrative carl.

Chris

[carl]

Thanks for the read and review, my dad was extremely proud of his time with the navy and rightly so - enlisted at age 18 retired as a lieutenant, participated in nine major sea battles in the Pacific WWII. don't know about the time with his sons, that seemed to be something he struggled with understanding and accomplishing, but as a father I realize the enormous difficulty of being a good one - thanks again for the response -carl

[willweb]

Great narrative in this and I loved the story aspect here. Your note as well I found interesting and it makes things a bit clearer. I somewhat know this scene and have been there, long ago now but, this rekindles some memories. Nicely done Carl

[carl]

thanks for the read and review - it was a struggle for me to write as I had to focus on this particular memory and block out the ones that might have cast negatively on my appreciation or lack there of where my dad was concerned. thanks for the encouragement. -carl

[AYVID N]

The first impression I got from reading the poem was how proud your father was of his career in the US Navy. He loved narrating his battle stories repeatedly to his sons. Of course, they'd know what to expect after dinner. From your superb and intricate description of it, I also feel that this is one of your favorite memories. You take the reader right up to that dinner table along with you and I enjoyed it so much.

I related strongly to your status line as my father was a very domineering and harsh man and I too had trouble getting along with him. But in the later years I realized that he did love and care about me in his own way.

Thank you for sharing. It was a very informative and a very good read.

[carl]

Thanks for your read and lengthy review, helps me to understand my feelings regarding my dad. It is needful to hold on to the good memories I have of him to counterbalance the difficult times we shared. thanks again and take care - carl

[AYVID N]

You're most welcome Carl.