Charles L. Weatherford

THE STEAMSHIP TALKING BLUES

I’ve been on paddle-wheel steamboats,
but never on a grand old steamship.
A friend suggested writing a poem
to describe such an ocean crossing trip.

My friend’s been gone nigh a year
on a different sort of passage.
I’ve yet to write that poem,
or many another he suggested.

He suggested poems about the navy,
submarines, and sailing, but then
my friend was a sailor, Special Forces,
in a navy across the sea.

I have yet to honor these requests
for poems on subjects he knew.
Maybe I don’t know them so well,
and he didn’t stick around to ask.

So, I’m left wondering what it’s like
to take passage on a steamship,
and how my friend the sailor
has fared on his own far trip.

I guess I’ll have to research the subject,
so I can do a proper writing job.
But, dear old Tor, will you ever read it?
Will you know I finally did it?

I reckon you will somehow,
even though I haven’t heard from you
since the day after you died.
I still think of you, friend, so keep in touch.