Once Upon the Green Sea

Once  upon a time

I was, it seems like 100 years ago,
on an old fashion cargo ship, the carried all sorts
from potatoes, flour, machine parts, plastic flowers,
and tinned fruit, meat, and hats for the wife of the president
in Honduras. 
For some reason, there was a door in my store room
it led into a cargo hold I filled the larder till it looked
like a corner shop. My task was to keep the cost of living down, 
and the captain got a telegram from the company complimenting 
me on keeping the cost down.
When the ship birthed in some obscure port, the unloading
took a long time and there was time to go ashore
 have a bit of fun and a good steak with wine at a restaurant.
I was twenty-five and had a hell of a time, but nothing
lasts forever, the ship was sold to a Greek shipping company
and we all had to go home.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Man Avatar
July 7, 2018 at 8:55 AM
Jan.. a contemplative piece that makes one think!
Hansen Avatar
July 15, 2018 at 12:16 PM
thank you Lyric man
Sharp Avatar
July 7, 2018 at 3:31 AM
A very evocative piece, very artful.
Hansen Avatar
July 15, 2018 at 12:17 PM
thank you, Lawrence Sharp
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace