Best Nassau Poems
We set sail as Reggae music played out on the Lido.
Our first night was casual; no need for tuxedo.
We could eat a pizza by the Windows On the Sea
or go beneath and dine on shrimp and meet the maitre d’
We could gamble, see a show, or just gaze at the ocean,
then in bed, relax the head and sense the soothing motion.
We woke up in Freeport where the ship would dock all day.
Folks could disembark, take tours, or on the ship just stay.
On board were people lounging or dancing to Calypso,
working out or shopping or even playing Bingo.
All day long you could find folks doing funny things
like contests for the men with hairy chests or knobby knees.
Day Two when we awoke, we were then in Nassau.
There was stuff for everyone, from your kiddies to your grandma!
Little ones could stay behind. The staff would entertain them,
or the kids could tag along with mom and dad. No problem!
Those who liked adventure could visit Blue Lagoon.
For snorkeling with sting rays, the boat left right at noon.
I got to pet a dolphin, but extra had to pay
to swim with one! That was sure an extra special day.
In town I got nabbed quickly by a plaza beautician.
Getting braids was all the rage, so people got their hair done.
We went to the gangway before the ship set sail.
Those not having fun by then were deader than a door nail.
“Day at Sea” arrived as the trip was winding down,
and the biggest night was coming; women wore a gown.
That final evening getting all dolled up to dine was when
I wished instead of ending, the trip would start again!
Gals and guys with braided hair; everyone looked nice.
Ah, the midnight feast with pretty sculptures carved in ice.
The ultimate for having fun unless you were just snoozing,
in the laid-back natives’ lingo, I say “Mon,” I sure loved that cruising.
(may not be following precise time line, but this was before year 2000 that I took my one and only cruise, so I'm a bit fuzzy on precise day by day details. it was a Carnival cruise only 3 to 4 days in Bahamas and back to Florida)
Feb. 1, 2022
for "My Favorite Vacation In Rhyme" Poetry Contest of L. Milton Hankins
You've heard of a "Dream" vacation,
well that's what I'm gonna do.
My wife and I on a cruise ship,
which to us is nothing new.
This will be the ninth straight year
that we've gone on a seven day cruise.
Of all the vacation options I have,
it's the one I always choose.
The name of the ship is Carnival "Dream",
the largest in their fleet.
So it's my "Dream" vacation in more ways than one,
which I think is pretty neat.
The first stop will be in Nassau,
a Bahama paradise.
Next will be St. Thomas (V.I.)
I've already been there twice.
The next stop is St. Maarten.
It'll be my third time there.
Even though I've been before,
it's so lovely, I don't care.
At these three stops, I'll just relax,
don't really do that much.
I may go ashore and look around,
shop a bit and see the sights and such.
For the many attractions the ship offers,
I just can't say enough.
Excellent shows and things to do,
to top them would be tough.
This is my "Dream" vacation,
I always look forward too.
It's the most relaxed I ever get,
there's nothing I'd rather do.
Athens, quite a place, so full of mythology
Buenos Aires, in Argentina, a place I'd love to see
Canberra, is just antipodean class
Dublin, a pint of Guinness in a glass
Edinburgh, the capital of the Scots
Freetown, a city, now violence is never sought
Georgetown, a place where Jim Jones left a scar
Helsinki, in its mountains, where reindeer herd so far
Islamabad, one of the greenest cities of the east
Jakarta, very close to where the Komodo's live and feast
Kuwait City, the start of Saddam's downfall
La Paz, is the capital, that looks down on them all
Monaco, where the rich and famous live
Nassau, with her golden beaches, where the breakers finally give
Oslo, in the land of skiing and fjords
Prague, with its architectural hoard
Quito, is the second highest in the world
Rome, to the lions, the Christians were hurled
Seoul, in the lands of the 38th parallel
Tripoli, where many an Anzac's fell
Ulaanbaatar, in a country full of steppes
Valletta, amidst the Mediterranean set
Warsaw, the ghetto's in World War II
Xi'an, its all i have to see this through
Yerevan, near the Biblical mountains, of Ararat
Zagreb, escaped being a Balkan War stat
Written 3/1/2010.
http://www.thehighlanderspoems.com/the-world.php
In winter I wear cute pyjamas
They’re adorned with sweet little llamas
We’ve had snow storm after storm
I yearn to be somewhere warm
Like Nassau in the Bahamas!
In summer I just wear a smile
Stark naked, I sleep in this style
Towards the end of summer
Hubby thinks it’s a bummer ...
He praying the sun stays a while!
**** my PJ's have cute penguins on them ... as for the rest of the poem I am saying nothing lol****
6/16/18
All aboard the Fantasy M/S of Carnival
for half a week’s vacation time of fun and falderal.
Hear greetings from your captain, his director and the crew.
Ready, set, get going. The Bahamas wait for you.
Bon Voyage! There’s Reggae music playing on the Lido.
Dinner is at 6 or 8. Hold off on that tuxedo!
You could eat a pizza by the Windows On the Sea
or go beneath to dine on shrimp and meet the maitre d’.
Gamble or see comedy; reflect upon the ocean.
Late to bed; relax your head; sense the soothing motion.
Rise and shine in Freeport where the ship will dock all day.
You can disembark to take a tour, or you can stay.
On board the ship, take a dip; lounge or dance Calypso.
Get yourself massaged; work out, shop or play some bingo.
All day long, you can find folks doing funny things
like contests for the men with hairy chests or knobby knees.
Day two when you waken, you will be in Nassau.
There’s stuff for everyone, from your kiddies to your grandma!
Little ones may stay behind. Folks will entertain them,
or the kids can tag along with the adults. No problem!
If you like adventure, visit lovely Blue Lagoon.
For snorkeling with sting rays, the boat leaves right at noon.
You can pet some dolphins, but extra you should pay
if you want to swim with them. That’s one special day.
In town you might be nabbed by a plaza beautician.
Getting braids is all the rage, so people get their hair done.
Get back to the gangway before the ship sets sail.
If you‘re still not having fun, you must be a door nail!
“Day at Sea” arrives as your trip is winding down,
And the biggest night is coming; women wear a gown!
That final evening dining perhaps with a new friend,
you’ll wish instead of ending, it were starting all again.
Gals and guys with braided scalps; everyone looks nice.
Ah, that midnight feast with pretty sculptures carved in ice.
The ultimate for leisure if you’re after more than snoozing’.
In the laid-back natives lingo: “Mon, you best be cruising!”
NOTE: (this describes a vacation I took about 12 years ago, my first
and probably last cruise ever, unless I come into money. haha.
I'd seen Europe in my youth but as vacations go,this truly was
the best one.)
For Carol Brown's Contest: "It's Time for a Vacation"
Grew up in the sixties
on Long Island, N.Y.,
where we had sidewalks,
and where you could walk,
to local stores, schools, or doctors,
or just your neighbor for a talk…
Summers went swimming,
at the Village Green Pool,
afterwards bought a Mr. Softee cone
to help me stay cool,
In the Fall went to Northside Elementary,
then later Division Avenue High...
and had to walk to school,
there was no bus ride…
Winters watched Ed Sullivan,
with my family and dog,
keeping an eye on the fire,
and the smoldering logs…
Went back for a visit,
could see the change,
with trees a lot taller,
the houses with built on dormers,
the taxes got a lot higher,
Nassau County is to blame…
Can you guess
where I am from,
my hometown was built in the late forties,
for returning vets,
by a man none other than,
Mr. Levitt.
Edward Kenway was a pirate
He sailed the Spanish Main
He plundered British merchant ships
And the Galleons of Spain
Once he was a farmer
He walked behind the plough
But now he ploughed the oceans deep
He was a pirate now
He started as a deckhand
Till his bravery won through
Then he became a captain bold
And ruled a pirate crew
He sailed into Nassau
And he took that town
It was then the British Government
Ruled they must take him down
One bright sunny morning
The fleet sailed into the bay
They were British Men of War
They were going to make him pay
But captain Kenway had a plan
He knew what they must do
He slowly drained his pint of ale
The stood to face his crew
Come on lads we'll to the fort
Make them taste the cannon ball
If we surrender now me boys
They'll surely hang us all
Kenway occupied the fort
Behind its strong stone walls
He knew he had the greatest chance
To make the British fall
He had a dozen cannons
Set toward the sea
He swore an oath upon his sword
That he'd keep Nassau free
The oath that he made to them
Did his men inspire
They all swore to do the same
As the British opened fire
They felt the ramparts shudder
As the heavy metal balls
Flew through the air and thudded
Into the fortress walls
But Kenway stood before his men
And this speech he made
Fire your cannons at them boys
Lets make them afraid
We will make them shake with fear
They'll turn and run and then
They will always rue the day
They messed with Kenway's men
The pirates fired the cannons
Two British ships went down
But one hundred troops stormed the beach
They were trying to take the town
But Kenway had prepared right well
He had men upon that shore
Hidden under canvas sails
Ready for the war
The troops were taken by surprise
The pirates did attack
The were outnumbered three to one
But they sent them running back
Kenway's cannons fired again
And four more ships did sink
All the pirates roared huzzah
As they sank into the drink
Fourteen British men of war
Limped out of the bay
Their sails were torn their hulls were holed
As they sailed away
Through the years many tales were told
The legend slowly grew
Of how the British Navy
Were crushed by Kenway's crew
THE FLOOD
Sun pours through the window,
a shower of light to strike
the sheer white pages of my mind,
a stark reminder of emptiness
mocking me like the faces on the wall.
I think of Zora and Atlantis, (how does
history know if any of us ever existed?)
the sinking feeling of wordlessness
drowning me. Nassau braces for a hurricane
while I wait for the flood to reach
my pen and the verbal onslaught
that will leave paper bloodied and bruised
with the wounded thoughts
of a penny-less wordsmith.
He painted the ocean
in fifty shades of green and blue
with his mighty paintbrush of perfection!
He sculpted a garden of coral reefs
and barrier reefs for us to see
with his powerful chisel of praise!
He sketched the outlines
of slithering bonefish and Nassau Groupers,
and sneaky Spiny Lobsters and humpback whales
with his graphite pencil of glory!
He shaded the colors of gliding dolphins
drifting sea lions and green turtles
and soaring stingrays
with his pastel sticks of righteousness!
He crafted a collage
of magical starfish, sand dollars, seahorses
conch shells, oysters, clams and seaweed
with his scissors, glue
and construction paper of greatness!
Baldwin is a pretty little hamlet to see.
It’s on Long Island in Nassau County.
This vibrant place is one that thrives.
It holds more than twenty thousand lives.
Just travel a little east from the borough of Queens.
You can drive, ride the train, or use any other means.
Having more than three hundred years of history,
it certainly is a fascinating community.
Baldwin has had a past, and a future that‘s bright.
Come see this little wonder any day or night.
Six decades ago
the landscape of
my Little Nassau
had
places like
The Silver Slipper
The Blue Note
The Banana Boat
The Conch Shell
The Zanzibar
The Cat and Fiddle
and The Drumbeat Club
with activities like
Fire dancing
limbo dancing
steel bands
big bands
and Goombay drums
Interesting people like
Sweet Richard
Blind Blake Higgs
George Symonette
Freddie Munnings
Eloise Lewis
Paul Meeres
Chippie Chipman
and Peanuts Taylor
and songs like
Island Woman
Bahama Lullaby
Chi Chi Merengue
Goombay Papa
Guma In Exuma
Island In The Sun
and Conch Ain't Got No Bone
ignited into the atmosphere
When I was born,
And for the first 5 years,
We lived in Brooklyn,
"King's County" you should know,
Then we moved to "Queen's"
Yup, "Queen's County"
A small step down the royal ladder,
One that hardly seemed to matter
Next, I went to "Nassau County",
As if on a royal cruise,
Maybe a royal vacation,
Didn't seem like much to lose...
And now I'm in "Dutchess County"
And I'm startin' to see a pattern,
When will end?
When I finally reach Saturn??
So let's take the logical steps ahead,
At least those until I'm dead....
I guess by all rights,
Next will be "Earlville" in my sights,
Followed by "Knight'sbridge" I
would tempt to guess,
You see where I'm heading?
This surely is a mess...
Next "Serf-town" I would predict,
Any lower, and I'll be sick!!
But we haven't ended our descent,
Cause from there, to "Leper'sLand"
I went.....
I'm not even go on any further,
Cause the thought becomes too scary,
But if I had to venture a guess,
Sometype of slimy worm, I'd think...
would be Mother Nature's last jest!!!
Recife in huge city turned
by the dutch prince Nassau transformed
high culture but people enslaved
now though so that much time has passed
by the people he is still loved
Well, she boiled up the water
in a construction worker’s can now:
seems she forgot all about the library
that she told her old man now:
and with the kettle boiling,
she’ll serve up some cups of Jiguan now -
and she’ll have fun, fun, fun
till her daddy takes the teapot away.
Went to a dance
looking for romance:
saw Barbara Ann,
but I left with JD Vance.
My buddies and me
are getting real well-known:
Zelensky met us
and he sold us a drone.
We came in on the Sloop John B,
Mbappe and me:
Around Nassau Town we did roam.
The beer was like pee:
I caught an STD:
I feel so broke up,
I wanna go home.
She’s giving me good vibrations
with quality lubrication.
I think they’re taking a notion
in Californ – eye – ay
to throw themselves in the ocean
before election day.
The options are gruesome,
as you’ll acknowledge when
it’s bushy-bushy-bon Newsom
or Orange Trump again.
Red light
Shining bright
Such the sight
Twirling bright
After a toothless fight
Sticks and pucks
What's a Canuck?
Many asked
Listening to the Islander perform winning tasks
Potvin was the man
In demand
Waiting for John Sterling’s winning command
“Islander Goal, Islander Goal”
Coming from the ice that was cold
Trophy lifted, five times in a row
While Rangers bowl
Throwing strikes
John Sterling manned WMCA’s mike
Replacing Simone
Who was hanging up his phone
Wanting to hear
Nassau Veteran’s cheer
Near
Hofstra where the Jets train
And never complained
Since Broadway Joe
Headed to a Hollywood show
Knees were saying, “time to go”
Sadly, Stanley Cup was too violent for regular routine TV
And that is why we appreciate John Sterling’s decree
When Trottier did his thing
And Chico was the goalie King
Who was there?
John Sterling’s enthusiastic flair
Bringing victories home
For those alone
Enjoying the Cinco mayo championship run
Entertaining and fun