Roland's Song

nineteen-six on an easter april evening

i was born in candlelight

the last of three

son of a woman

with eyes as blue as ocean

and of a man whose heart belonged to her

and to the sea.

springtime, time to set sail

for my father

broke his heart

to think of leaving home

decided we all three

should board the cary

so that none of us would have to spend

my first spring alone.

in my day i've sailed a thousand oceans

endless miles away from any shore

and when the moon shines on the ebony silken water

i'll be sailing on my way again once more.

what a sight it was that day

down to port mahon

when a captain took

his wife and child to sea

everyone waved and smiled

as he carried us aboard

with his crew, a cook, a carpentar

mother and me.

a tiny bed that was fashioned

on brass gimbals

and the soothing ocean songs

the night would sing

memories of my first home

will live clearly in my mind

as long as i can remember

anything.

in my day i've sailed a thousand oceans
endless miles away from any shore
and when the moon shines on the ebony silken water
i'll be sailing on my way again once more.

for commander roland daly blocksom

april 14, 1906 - october 27, 1990

happy birthday dad, happy 102