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Best Poems Written by Stephen Washam

Below are the all-time best Stephen Washam poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

Details | Stephen Washam Poem

Moonlight On the Bay

Beside the rustic harbor stands a lighthouse on a hill
It keeps a watchful vigil o’er the waters deep and still
At night the harbor waters shine almost as bright as day
And nothing is as beautiful as moonlight on the bay
  
The shores stretch out their golden arms along the rugged land
The waters seem to sing and dance across the golden sand
A cool and salty ocean breeze blows softly through my hair
As tiny sparkling water droplets gently fill the air 

I stand next to the water's edge and listen while it sings
The water seems to know the gentle comfort that it brings
I long to have you at my side beside the shining sea
While list'ning as the water brings your image back to me

Though we are very far apart I still can see your smiles
As the water whispers soft and sweet across the many miles  
I hear your sparkling laughter and it softly seems to say 
“I love you”, and it fills my heart like moonlight on the bay

Details | Stephen Washam Poem

The Soldier's Way

When my son was small he and his friends loved to play marines
A brown eyed soldier dressed up in his helmet and his jeans
I asked him why he always died whenever they would play
He just said “I saved my friends, ‘cause that’s the soldier’s way”

As he grew up his Mom and I always wondered what he’d be
When he reached high school he enrolled in their ROTC
Once he had finished high school he enlisted without delay
I should have known it all along, ‘cause that’s the soldier’s way

When he had finished training and became a full marine
I was the proudest father that anyone had ever seen 
A brown eyed soldier in full dress not a thread in disarray
Stood proudly there before me, ‘cause that’s the soldier’s way

He eventually got married to a beautiful young wife
And I asked if she was ready for a military life
She just smiled and hugged me tight as she fondly did convey
That nothing could make her prouder, ‘cause that’s the soldier’s way

One day he told us he must leave for a war had broken out
He wasn’t sure what started it or what it was about
His mother asked if there was any way that he could stay
He told her “Mom, it’s my duty”, ‘cause that’s the soldier’s way

She said “Son, it’s very dangerous, you could be killed you know”
He said “Mom, if we all stayed home there’d be no one left to go”
“Dad,” he said “If this war is right it’s not for me to say”
But I have to follow orders, ‘cause that’s the soldier’s way 

Just recently his wife received a visit and a letter
Our son had died in combat and that there was not a better
Leader in all their company, and that on that fateful day
He’d bravely saved all of his friends, ‘cause that’s the soldier’s way

He left behind a sweet young wife and beautiful little son
We all are very proud of him and everything he’s done
My son did his duty and he is coming home today
In a flag draped wooden coffin, ‘cause that’s the soldier’s way

Some have asked if I’m angry that my only son had to die
I simply smile and shake my head and here is my reply
My friend take a look at all you have around you here this day
You have all of these lovely things, ‘cause that’s the soldier’s way

My grandson looks just like his Dad in his helmet and his jeans
As he plays out with his buddies, pretending they’re marines
And when he falls and pretends to die, then I know right away 
That he has just saved all his friends, ‘cause that’s the soldier’s way


For William J. Holder
In memory of Jon R. "Sonny" Holder
Died during the Vietnam conflict

Details | Stephen Washam Poem

The Old Vet

I took my four year old one time to a July fourth parade
We found a place that offered us a little bit of shade
Sitting there close by to us was a white haired older man
His eyes were fixed on something as the parading soon began

My son was fascinated by the old man’s intense stare
And soon we saw he was looking at the flag waving in the air
It was the first thing passing by us as the parade began to start
And the old man struggled to his feet with his cap across his heart

As we stood next to this gentleman my young son asked me why
The older man was shaking and had a tear forming in his eye
Once we all were seated and the parade went on its way
We spoke with the older gentleman and proudly did he say

That he had served in the Marine Corps during World War Two
And he was very proud he’d served the red, white, and the blue
He said he’d lost his brother and his very dearest friend
But it had been an honor to have this country to defend

The older man then said he’d lost his son in Vietnam
And he said I couldn’t tell you just how proud of him I am
I hope that some will think about the sacrifice he made
So that we can all be here to watch this beautiful parade

The old man then put his hand on my son’s tiny head
And he gently ruffled up his hair as quietly he said
My son’s name was James but we always called him Jim
And seeing you here with your Dad it makes me think of him

My son sat very quietly moving next to the old chap
And reached into the bag we’d brought to get his baseball cap
He put the cap upon his head as we watched a marching band
And slowly he reached up and took the old man by the hand

Soon another flag passed by and I was quick to realize
The old man wasn’t the only one with a tear forming in his eyes
My own eyes started misting as I stood there most impressed
As my son stood with a proud marine with his cap across his chest

Details | Stephen Washam Poem

A Carrot Named Earl

I was really having trouble deciding on a pet
Exactly what I wanted I wasn’t sure just yet
I pondered and I pondered until I couldn’t bear it
Then it finally came to me, I’ll get a baby carrot

Now I did not expect to have just any orange sprout
It took a lot of looking to pick the right one out
By the time I picked one out, my head was in a whirl
But he was sure a cutie and I quickly named him Earl

Earl can be a character and he is quite a riot
But when I’m watching TV, he’s always very quiet
Earl won’t watch the Gourmet Chef, in fact he really hates him
It’s because one day he cooked some carrots and he ate them

Earl always keeps a tidy room and never makes a mess
He never gives me trouble and I really must confess
The few times he’s been naughty and had to have a whack
He took it well and never even thought of talking back

I recently brought home for Earl a little carrot friend 
I think it was a big mistake that bit me in the end
When I got home from work today I caught him kissing Earl
And then it finally dawned on me, my carrot is a girl

Details | Stephen Washam Poem

Waiting For Santa

My brother told me you’re not real and sissy said that too
But Santa I know they are wrong and I will wait for you
I hung my stocking on the hearth; it’s waiting for you there
And since they are so little I thought I’d hang up a pair

Mommy is making cookies so you’ll have a snack to eat
Daddy said make chocolate chip, the kind that’s semi-sweet
I don’t know how my Daddy knows what cookies you like best
I think he hopes when you are done that he’ll get all the rest

Our chimney looks so tiny that I hope you don’t get stuck
To get all of my presents down you’ll need a lot of luck
Mommy told me not worry that you will find a way
Then she smiled at Daddy to see just what he would say

My Daddy told me sometimes you put toys together here
Just like the new bicycle that you brought for me last year
You must have had a hard time ‘cause I thought I heard you yell
It sounded like you hurt your hand but the bike was really swell

Did Daddy help you build it? ‘Cause it sounded like his shout
Next day he had a Band-Aid on, so what’s that all about ?
When I asked him what happened, it was really a surprise
‘Cause I thought I saw your twinkle Santa, in my Daddy’s eyes

I just don’t understand this year why Daddy looked so tired
When he heard all the things I want said “assembly required”
But anyway I know you’ll come, ‘cause Mom and Daddy said
That I have been a real good boy and now I’m off to bed

Details | Stephen Washam Poem

The Land of Hushabye

The sun is slowly fading as it sinks into the west
And now it’s time for all the little sleepy heads to rest
Night is quickly falling and the moon begins to rise
The sandman sprinkles tiny bits of stardust in their eyes
So let me rock you gently and I’ll take you by and by
On a wondrous sleepy journey to the land of Hushabye

Shimmering pools of starlight will brighten all your dreams
And soon you will be dancing among the moonlight beams 
Over stars you’ll travel, riding moonlight ‘cross the sky
And watch the fairies cast their nets to catch a firefly
Be sure that on your journey you bring along your cup
For as you pass the Milky Way you’ll want to fill it up

When you arrive at Hushabye the magic will begin
And everything a child could want is nestled there within
Marshmallow clouds float lazily across the sunny skies
And cakes and candy stretch for miles before your very eyes
The roads are paved with peanut brittle sugary and sweet
And everywhere you’ll find that there are goodies you can eat

Chocolate drops and candy kisses lie upon the ground
And everywhere a child looks there’s cookies to be found
Rivers run with lemonade and cotton candy grows
From all the trees, and soda pop from every fountain flows    
So close your little tired eyes, don’t let me hear you cry
And you will soon be on your way to the land of Hushabye

Details | Stephen Washam Poem

Pupplesnuff

There is a land called Bowkabay
Beyond the moon far, far away
And in this strange and wondrous land
Lies a crystal sea with golden sand

The Raspa trees grow tall and green
Like nothing you have ever seen
Flamento flowers bloom at night
To catch the dew and clear moonlight

Beside the cliffs of Meltramoor
Across a valley corridor,
Within a cave upon a bluff,
Lives a dragon they call Pupplesnuff

A gentle creature kind and fair
With wings to fly upon the air
His silv’ry scales are smooth and bright
They glisten in the morning light

When the day turns into night
Pupplesnuff will then take flight
He soars upon the moonlight beams
To visit children in their dreams

And when they’ve closed their sleepy eyes
He’ll take them riding through the skies
Upon the winds they’ll sail away
To frolic ‘til the break of day

Past the stars that shine so bright
Off they’ll go in mystic flight
The children from both far and near
Love the gentle dragon dear

But when the morning starts to dawn
Ole Pupplesnuff gives out a yawn
Through dreamland he has quickly sped
To take the children back to bed

But he will wake at end of day
Ready again to romp and play
With all his little sleeping friends
From bedtime ‘til the evening ends

So close your eyes and drift away
To the far off land of Bowkabay
And dear one if you’re good enough
You’ll get to ride on Pupplesnuff

Details | Stephen Washam Poem

The Mermaid

While sailing out on morning’s tide
A mermaid on a rock I spied
She was a lovely half-fish girl
With a necklace made of whitest pearl

She smiled and blew a kiss to me
Then disappeared into the sea
She surfaced back behind the boat
And lazily began to float

I grabbed my friend and pointed aft
He thought that I was truly daft
For mermaids don’t exist, you know
My friend quite plainly told me so

No sooner had he walked away 
The mermaid came again to play
She sunned herself upon some rocks
And combed her flowing silken locks

I hailed the Captain of our ship
But she had given me the slip
The Captain answered to my call
But saw no mermaid there at all

The Captain thought me quite insane
As my wondrous tale I did explain
When he returned back to his duty
I saw again my ocean beauty

She floated there upon a wave
A subtle wink she slyly gave
And then she flipped her lovely tail
Swimming along as we did sail

I called all of my sailor friends
To show them her curvaceous fins
They asked if I was feeling well
When my story I began to tell

I pointed to the mermaid fair
But when they looked, nothing was there
They thought that I had lost my mind
No mermaid out there could they find

They left and shook their weary heads
And sleepily went to their beds
My head was in a dizzy whirl
I saw the ocean waters swirl

Then once again she came in sight
Swimming in the pale moonlight
I yelled and danced a frantic jig
As they hauled me off into the brig

“He’s lost it” I did hear them say
As they sadly went upon their way
Through the port of my little cell
I watched the sea waves rise and swell

Then suddenly next to the glass
I saw the little seaward lass
She took the pearls off of her neck
And tossed them up onto the deck

Then off she swam into the deep
As I wearily slipped off to sleep
When came the early light of dawn
I stretched my arms and gave a yawn

Then my good friend upon the ship 
Ran down with pearls fast in his grip
"You won’t believe the sight I saw"
He said to me, face filled with awe

Last night while I was by the rail
I heard a voice give me a hail
Next thing I knew, here came these pearls
From underneath the ocean swirls

"Quite right you were", he said to me
"A mermaid threw these from the sea"
I winked and said “I don’t think so”
For mermaids don’t exist you know

Details | Stephen Washam Poem

The Fate of the Flying Dutchman

Gather friends if you care to hear, I’ll favor you with a tale
About the fate of a gallant ship that long ago did sail
Built of the finest teak wood in the year sixteen-thirty-nine
A three mast frigate tall and sleek the pride of the Holland line

One-hundred-twenty-three feet she was from her stern to her stem
She had a noble captain with a crew hand picked by him
Her beam was forty feet across and three hundred tons she’d weigh
As she left from home in Holland on that fateful summer day

She’d made this journey many times; this was just another run
As she sailed towards her eastern port in sixteen-forty-one
The ship arrived quite safe at port and received her cargo load
And then began her journey back along her seaward road

Off the shores of the African coast a storm began to brew
The ocean was quite treacherous unknownst to the gallant crew
In the stormy seas the ship made way towards the Cape of Hope
The violent winds blew mercilessly as each crewman grabbed a rope

As the ship began to flounder in the waters off the coast
Her angry captain shook his fist and began to loudly boast
The words the captain uttered became a curse old seamen say
He shouted “I’ll sail past this cape if it takes until doomsday”

From that time on the tale’s been told of the story of this ship
And what the fates have cursed her with upon that final trip
It’s said that on a stormy night off the waters of the shores
That you can see the phantom ship as the angry ocean roars

Some ships have sailed through eerie mists and there within the gloom
They have seen the shadowed specter of this cursed ship of doom
For those poor souls who’ve seen the ship must share its fate they say
And join its lonely crew on board as the ship goes on its way

There are not too many mariners who haven’t heard the tale
Of the phantom ship whose crew was lost out in a stormy gale
Few are those that can tell the tale as knowingly as I can
I'm one of the cursed crew of the fabled Flying Dutchman

Details | Stephen Washam Poem

Moonlit Garden

When moonlight casts its mellow glow
O’er the garden late at night
It lights the path where lovers go
To meet their heart’s delight

It’s here my dear you come to me
From out of the garden mist
Where we first met so secretly
And your tender lips I kissed

Our young hearts have to steal away
To share a warm embrace
That can’t be seen by light of day
Now hidden in this place

The night will give our hearts a pardon
While meeting in this moonlit garden