Thoughts On a Mid-Watch (twenty-years later)
Two decades ago I was a wide eyed kid in the Navy, and didn’t know my ass from a hole in the ground. Hell, I’d never been on an airplane before let alone a ship in the middle of the ocean. Three weeks after training I found myself in Spain where I met what would be my new home for the next four years, The U.S.S. Donald B. Beary.
The next four years were the most definitive growth period in my life to date and I met many people I’m proud to call my friends today.
Standing Watch while at sea is part of the daily routine and I’ll tell you one thing; the middle of the ocean at night is a heck of a fine place to let your mind wander around and toss some words back at forth.
This was originally written 20 years ago, steaming back across the Atlantic on our way back from the Mediterranean. As a side note it was my bad fortune to lose a ridiculous amount of money playing poker directly before my four hour watch. … shit happens.
Thoughts of a Mid-Watch (twenty years later)
Midnight Castle’s agony
Swaying from within
I played the ace, lost the race,
On a lonesome summers whim
The tide lays hidden far beneath
The dark and cold below
The wind and salt upon my face
Raise feelings I love and know
We steamed ahead into the black
Gibraltar now far behind
The thousands of miles and memories
Laying softly in my mind
I cycle back to my new post
The past in shimming green foam
Ancient knowledge and comfort surrounds me
Heading home- finally- heading home.
