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Short lyrical poem about a teenager who joins and spends 4 years in the Navy. View table of contents...
Submitted: Dec 2, 2006 Reads: 320 Comments: 22 Likes: 8
NAVY GRAVY
By E. J. T. BRADLEY
Skin and Bone At Seventeen,
Left Home To Join The Navy.
All Muscled-Up At Nineteen,
Refused To Eat The Gravy.
Was Not Having That Much Fun,
With Hair Still Blond And Wavy
Went Back Home At Twenty-One,
Yelled: "Ahoy!" To The Navy.
Copyright © Edward J. Bradley 2006
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Hi Edward,
It sounds like a sailor's poem. I could imagine them singing it from the decks. I was in the bowels of a Navy destroyer once and could understand how he was ready to say Ahoy. It turns out my Uncle served on the very boat I had visited. He enjoyed his time though, having visited Spain, Cuba (pre-Fidel), etc.
Still, I think I'm a landlubber.
Phil
Posted: Dec 3, 2006
Short and sweet, Edward Bradley.
it brings forth reflections on my ideas of the US fighting man. Nice rhythm and feeling here.
From another old soldier
Posted: Dec 6, 2006
I have a brother in law who just got out of the navy, and my mother in law still in, they say great poem.
Posted: Dec 30, 2006
Ed, you been visiting me so I thought I'd return the trip. This is a great poem about the Navy though I don't remember much about the gravy. I still run from a tin of corned beef though.
U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt CVA 42
Posted: Feb 6, 2007
ahoy! to the poem
4 difficult years in four simple & sweet stanzas!!
Posted: May 28, 2007
Grew up with a father in the army. That brought back memories. Lots of people served a few years and left. I can see them liking this on in the Leaky Anchor local drinking hole. Generally to lots of beer and a chorus of singers.
And trust me: i get why he didn't like the gravy! LOL
well done it. Short, sharp, well written.
Posted: Jul 10, 2007
I love this poem. Especialy cause i like the army and its branches. I love how it all goes to together. Nicely done. It really is a great poem.
Posted: Aug 6, 2007
My cousin joined the Marines, and it will be a surprise to see how much he has changed when he returns in a few short months. Maybe he won't like certain foods :)
~DarkFairy~
Posted: Sep 1, 2007
for me, sailing is one of the better joys i havfe ever had the pleasure to do... great poem, short and to the point. thats just your style
Posted: Sep 1, 2007
Loved your poem. I have raised three boys; two were in the Marine Corps; my oldsest for 20 years; retired recently
Glenna
Posted: Sep 5, 2007
a really good poem. I have few friends all over the military that want to say Ahoy or other less luxurious comments. Keep writing.
Posted: Apr 23, 2008
I liked this. One of my brothers joined the Navy right out of high school...and has made a career out of it. He's overseas right now.
Posted: Jul 3, 2008
My brother-in-law shared his experiences ( not that pleasant) when he was in Navy as an engineer...life is boring...i guess because he loved land always...I am sure those who love travelling and oceans and adventure, would love NAVY....
as for me and my husband, we r very very scared of water and sea...even a pond...hee heee....
Posted: Jul 7, 2008
This is a very interesting poem, I very much enjoyed it, a lot different to the type of stuff we read here in Scotland,Uk but i really did enjoy reading this.
Posted: Aug 14, 2008
I enjoyed it-I can imagine it being sung to pass the time onboard
Posted: Sep 21, 2008
This makes me want to go sailing with my guitar and make a tune out of it. It's similar to many of the folk songs that I like which are often about a young man who joins the army/navy, or rebel group in the case of some Irish songs, and comes home, and the changes in between.
In short: I liked it.
Posted: Sep 23, 2008
I liked the feel of this poem.
You know, I had enlisted in the Navy almost a year ago, but switched to the Marines. I should be leaving for bootcamp soon. However, I'm still interested in the life of a sailor . .
Posted: Oct 13, 2008
That was great, the way you got the point across without many words.....That takes talent.
Posted: Nov 1, 2008
I have a nephew in the navy--retired actually. It takes courage.
Posted: Nov 2, 2008
This poem reminds me about my best friend who joined Malaysia navy..I liked it,Mr.Bradley.
Posted: Nov 15, 2008
Hello Mr Bradley
This poem was remaniscent of my son whom at the old age of 17 entered the Royal navy as a 9lb weakling and emerged four years later as an awesome figure of a man whose strength physically and psychologically never ceases to amaze me.
Thank you for providing me with such a reminder. Have added i like too for this one lol.
Yes love humorous and satirical, I also write humorous poetry.....hmm will have to post a couple.
best wishes and happy writing
Vee
Posted: Nov 30, 2008
Good poem Mr Bradley! I like the reference to time, from seventeen, nineteen and then twenty-one. I don't know why, but that always catches my attention. I definitely liked it.
Violet Rose
Posted: Dec 10, 2008
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