A Seafaring Poem

A Seafaring Poem

By Emily Weigel

Smooth sailing we’d had,

I felt like Sir Galahad

Thought we were in the clear,

Then felt confidence disappear

 

Over the side we all heave,

Praying the wind and waves leave

Gripping tightly the railing chain link,

To avoid a violent fall into the drink

 

Never again will I sip grape Gatorade,

With plain old water I should’ve stayed

The fish exclaim, ‘thanks for the chum,’

While queasiness stubbornly sits in my tum

 

The meals have been great,

But I’ve not been a useful mate

Dr. Hintz and Nat throw drifters into the spray,

Trying to keep all their chunks at bay

 

We all do miss our dear Dr. Pride,

Who retreated into her cabin to hide

The science crew carries big plastic bags,

While a dehydrated headache nags

 

Cap’n Jimmy laughs

At our many gaffes

Yet, we’ll leave with research treasure

And admit it still was a pleasure

 

For tho’ when I leave,

And my stomach takes a reprieve

Despite our faces turning green,

We’re glad to’ve seen what we’ve seen

 

Here’s my Panama City

To Lewes, Delaware ditty

We know it soon will end

As Chesapeake Bay comes ‘round the bend

I think I can hear a tiny, sad violin

For boy, what a trip it has been.