Whether one was leaving from the barracks or from home, I believe every Submariner can identify with my memories in this poem.
LEAVING
My seabag is packed and ready;
It stands stiffly beside the door.
The boat and her crew lie waiting
Off a lonely distant shore;
She yearns to return to deep water
To escape the light of day.
Impatiently, she waits for my return
As men hurry to get underway.
Soon, I'll walk through that door-
For daylight is breaking now-
With seabag on my shoulder,
I'll salute as I cross her brow.
Then she will head north to rejoin the fight
In this silent, cold, cold war.
Roy Mack Bowen
SSBN627 1967 -1971
October 13, 2016
LEAVING
Forum rules
Consider your audience when posting. The audience is unrestricted. Individual submissions are copyright by the authors and may only be reproduced with prior written permission from the author.
Consider your audience when posting. The audience is unrestricted. Individual submissions are copyright by the authors and may only be reproduced with prior written permission from the author.
-
- Posts: 47
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 3:55 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Horner
- Crew?: Gold
- Which Years on Board: 1970-74
- Special Crew?: Neither
- Rate: STS2(ss)
Re: LEAVING
Just beautiful Roy. I think you captured the feeling perfectly. It was always somewhat of a lonely feeling. I think we Submariners share a different perspective of the Cold War than that of the younger generations that believe it was a big farce or hoax. It was a job. We took our job seriously with a lot of pride. We were up against a very real enemy. It was a deadly serious business and we knew if the order came, the missiles would fly.
JT
Sonar gang '70-'74 Gold
Sonar gang '70-'74 Gold
- KellyJoeRay
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:06 pm
- First Name: Kelly Joe
- Last Name: Ray
- Crew?: Blue
- Which Years on Board: 1974-79
- Special Crew?: Neither
- Rate: MM
- Contact:
Re: LEAVING
Yeah...that was the toughest part of being a Silent Service Sailor...That plane ride to Holy Loch...That goodbye at the airport...I Think you crushed it Roy Boy...WETSU...We ALL became Qualified Submariners because football, baseball and basketball all only requires one ball...
K.J. Ray MM1/SS Ret.
Blue Crew 1974-1979
Blue Crew 1974-1979