Old Maine Salt
Richard Somes
Italo Vassalluzo
After viisting an old family friend on Mt Desert this summer, Richard Somes penned Old Maine Salt..
"He has lobstered off the Island for over 65 years and served as a captain on a submarine hunter vessel during WWII," Somes wrote of his 'Salt'. "His story probably reflects the feelings of many people of Maine who have lived by the sea all their lives. It moved me deeply to hear him reflect over his 90 years."
Old Maine Salt
His eyes were misty; his speech could have been more.
This old Captain was a vet – a veteran of war.
He remembered with pride those days of being bold.
Age had caught him – his body was now old.
Their numbers are dwindling; they’re dying away.
Our sailors of old from back in the day.
It breaks my heart when I see them cry.
As they remember the days – the days gone by.
He talks of battles old - where sailors had fought.
To save the world – that’s what they thought.
He remembered with pride the Seas he did roam,
The ocean was calling this Old Salt home.
His hands are trembling as he points to the Sea.
Can I ship out once more? It’s there I must be.
Where does it say; I must stay on the shore?
Where does it say; to the Sea no more?
I want to be at the helm; man the wheel like before.
A tear he sheds – it will be no more.
I will remember him always as a man of the Sea.
He will always be Captain – aye — Captain to me.
Richard Somes
Views expressed in blogs are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect either Down East's editorial stance or the views of Down East Enterprise. We ask that comments be civil; anyone who refuses to self edit runs the risk of being banned from commenting on Down East.com content.
Reader Comments:
What a great poem, you could see his hand shaking as he pointed out to see. Keep on writing.