Up Too Close
UP TOO CLOSE
When I was three I was taken
To a shipyard for the launch,
The graceful wetting of a ship -
Elegant sweep of a warship,
Huge yet sleek, strong and fast
Close-up front-row seat,
Facing me a tall wall of steel.
There it sat on blocks waiting
To slide to the river and be born:
An aircraft carrier mountainous
With flight deck overhang
Blocking out the sky around.
Everyone laughed when I asked,
“But where is the carrier?”
It was too close to us:
We needed to be further away.
My cousins lived in houses nearby -
Complained about the ship being
Too high – blocked out the daylight
For two construction years.
Caused cracks in the ground
With its thousands of tons;
Employed husbands for some time
But then threw them on dole.
They scorned when I said,
“Isn’t the carrier beautiful!”
It was too close to them:
They needed to be further away.
My uncle John was a good man -
Worked in the shipyard.
Taught me how to saw wood,
Fix shoes, finish a job,
Play harmonica, speak German.
He never complained at my
Childish misbehavior when
I broke or stole something.
He was like a father.
I didn’t see his great Importance;
I guess I was up too close.
I only saw it when he died. I needed
A distance to see his real character.
Copyright © Sidney Beck | Year Posted 2010
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