Short Coxswain Poems

Nette Onclaud, Rolling with the R’s, 8/4/2025

Rhythm of a River

rambling
   funny waters,
      downward rapidity
         of laughter on white water raft.
unintended coxswain gets rogue-wave kissed.
         guides directing, this way and that,
      up and down; rowers with
   coarse correction,
rambling.
...

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The coxswain calls the cadence
…I don’t like his tone
But I am forced to listen
Cuz he’s got the megaphone

I think my oar is twisted
As it defies my wishes
It hits the water making
Loud splashes and not swishes

The other oarsmen wonder
Why can’t he get in sync
They blame it on the fact that
My oar is painted pink

I close my eyes and memorize
The taste of burgers, hot, with fries
Ease my stroke into a rhythm
Knowing a distant tide abides
...

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MEMORIAL DAY

          THOSE WHO DIED

    My daddy served till I was six.
    A Navy man he loved his ship.

    Rejecting hero he would proclaim.
   "Those who died should have that name."

   Sailed many times across the waves.
   Rescuing prisoners from cells as graves.

   A coxswain warning of things to come.
   That sound still echos to setting sun.

   Blow the whistle as bugles blare!
   Today the fallen shall be honored
             everywhere!

MAFLongfellow...

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