The Commander

the commander Going on board my ship, a balmy night in Gibraltar I noticed four old warships (hunter class) tied up together on a deserted pier as waiting for the final verdict, to be turned into nails or sunk. Having drunk beers with an ex. Royal navy people I boarded one ship, walked up to the bridge And took command Giving orders to drop depth charges against a German U-boat, I heard a voice behind me say: “This is state property you have to leave.” He took his helmet off and whipped his shiny doom, a sociable copper, not looking for upgrades by arresting people. Leisurely we walked to my merchant ship in a few hours, I would get up, cook breakfast but I had, briefly, been a commander.