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MANLEY NOTES
REACH OUT AND FEEL THE PRIDE
Old Sailors, Hospitality Rooms, Final Cruises
They come to remember ship-
mates from long ago and wait
patiently to see a familiar face
come through the door; they lin-
ger anxiously for the chance to
share one sea story more. Old
sailors have come to sit and
chew the fat ‘bout things that
use to be, ‘bout places they’ve
been, ‘bout adventures at sea.
They come to laugh at the good
and the bad, at the money
they’ve spilled and the beer
they’ve swilled in their days
when sailing the main.
Their lives are lived in days
gone by with memories of Dixie
cup hats, bell bottom blues, fad-
ing tattoos, of dragons on the
sleeve, and unyielding pride.
They easily recall mad dog
chiefs and baby-face ensigns,
boiler rooms, signal bridges, ra-
dio rooms, and liberty call.
They talk about the long mid-
watches and the lousy mid-rats,
standing alone under a moon
that sparkled like crystal upon a
moving sea, watching for other
ships and other sailors; they
faintly bring back the thoughts
they had as youthful lads when
their lives were unbridled and
free.
They taste the bread Ole Cookie
would bake and shutter at the
shrill of the bo’sun’s pipe, of
general quarters and canons
booming and drills and drills and
more drills. The remember how
they were molded into pros.
They rode their gray stallion
through many a storm when the
sea was showing its might, and
towering waves were digging
their graves as they steamed
through the dark of night.
These Old Sailors can remem-
ber the many innocent they
yanked from the mouth of angry
waters, the urgent walk ashore
to take back hostages held with-
out consent by crazed rebels
with a fuzzy cause.
They know so well how their
hearts would swell when the flag
fluttered proud and free, and the
stars and stripes made such
beautiful music as they plowed
through an unfriendly sea.
Soon their sailing days will go
away, never more will they cross
the brow or render a snappy sa-
lute or utter a sharp aye-aye, sir!
But they have no regrets for they
know confidently they’ve been
blessed ‘cause they honored
their sacred vow. They served
well and with honor. Yes, they
remember mates already gone
who forever hold a page or two
in these stories unfolding today
that tell of sailors bold.
Our numbers grow less with
each passing day as our chits in
this life are called, but they’ve
nothing to lose for they’ve paid
their dues and they’ll sail with
their shipmates once again. I’ve
heard them say before getting
underway that there is still some
sailing to do, and they’ll exclaim
with a grin that their ship has
come in, and the Lord is com-
manding the crew...but one last
prayer, sir, before we go -
please leave us with these
cherished memories.
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