He knew the sea
Saw its smiles and warmth
Its rage and fury.
Rode the storm-tossed ship
With no land in sight
Only the limitless heaving breast
Of the sea!
And he basked in the South Pacific sun
As USS phoenix gently heaved with the
Breath of the sea.
He saw the paradise of the
Gentle Pacific
Turn into untethered hell.
He saw acts of heroism
So many unsung, unremembered.
He and so many other heroes
Made their ship a home and refuge.
He came home to stay on land
Never returning to the sea.
But in his work, his play
His smile and even his tears
The sea shined through.
His memories of riding the high seas
The happiness, the sheer exhilaration
Of kinship with the ocean.
Of being a son of the sea.
It always stayed.
Even in his humility
It was clear
He had faced the sea
Dared it
Confronted it
Loved it
And delighted riding the
Unbridled waves.
He earned his rest
Sharing his story with the next generations.
How much larger he seemed despite
His quiet humble assay of his part.
And when taps finally sounded for him
It was so clear that the small urn
Could not contain him.
His spirit glides now
Out over the waves
His bravery now entrusted
To the ages.
To be remembered.
The country he helped save has erected
Great monuments.
I remember him…
For courage
For duty
For he knew the sea
Its smiles and anger
He faced death and rage
And transcended it all
Leaving a legacy…
Of happiness and the exhilaration of
Being a son of the sea.
-
Author:
Buzz Bray (
Offline) - Published: January 5th, 2022 12:30
- Comment from author about the poem: Dedicated to my father and all the crew of the U.S.S. Phoenix (CL-46) who served six years in the South Pacific, seeing action in virtually every major engagement, from Pearl Harbor to the end of WWII. R.I.P. May their memory always be a blessing!
- Category: Family
- Views: 34
- Users favorite of this poem: AuburnScribbler
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Comments1
A formidable tribute here Buzz, with an expert flow, like that of an epic story.
I'm sure your father and his crew-mates would be proud of such a homage.
I too do love the sea, and when travel restrictions are truly back to normal, I shall bathe in it, with a thankful heart.
Bravo, and I hope that all is well!
Thank you for your kind words. Every September 7th, Dad would come into my middle school class and speak to my students first-hand about his experiences at Pearl. Their reactions gratified him so much. As young as they were, some would come and hug him. Others thanked him. I was so proud of my students and grateful that they recognized the contribution of so many members of the 'greatest generation.'
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