Water knocks and rocks the bow,
so soon I am awake.
It’s cold in here and warm out there-
“SHUT THE DOOR for GOODNESS SAKE!”

Though he might have used another phrase-
his words abrupt and stern.
I needed that,
I guess that’s what it took for me to learn.

Nine years old and constant.
My sisters never made
the waves I did or disobeyed
the rules our father laid.

Each day new and exciting,
just stepping out the door.
Breathe in the summer morning air,
the whole boat to explore.

The sun so bright, a beacon.
Pervasive, every place.
I rub sunscreen onto his back,
his ears, his head and face.

My swim suit with blue fishes,
in yellow and lime green.
Fine hairs, snow white covered my arms.
The sun kissed everything.

Climb up the wooden ladder,
eat breakfast on the bridge.
The radio, the salty air.
He pulls ribs from the fridge.

The tuna tower towers…
Barefoot, up I climb!
The view, the breeze, encircles me.
Enthralled, the scene sublime.

The crows nest, that’s the spot.
The look-out on the top.
I’d hang and lean and do my thing,  
then hear my name and stop.

ONTO THE BOW!
The next best place- the railing never there.
Up front there laid a wooden plank,
no chance for me to err

Life jackets, I abhorred…
but donning one meant fun.
I’d surge and plunge and wriggle,
minnows hit me one by one.

The coolest part, I always thought-
was anything but slow.
Surface, float and giggle,
ride the tide, my natural tow.

He’s standing and he’s waiting
at the corner of the dock.
He bends and lends his eager hand,
vigilant ‘round the clock.

He lifts me like I’m weightless.
Gifted with god-like strength.
He sets me down, where onto now,
my patience short in length.

Commercials on the radio,
the seasoned grill I smell…
The sea breeze carries these with ease,
marina under spell.

The neighbors start to gather,
they sit on our dock box.
Entranced by Raymond’s manner,
he’s well-known on the docks.

With food and laughs a’plenty,
our slip was hard to miss.
A good time had by many,
can’t help but reminisce…