Shore Leave

[couchgrouch]

Shore LeaveSam heard others in their bunkssailors plannin' on gettin' drunkone was hitting the Sierras to huntfar from waves and stinkin' seaweedSam didn't care about what he heardtill one said he had Port Nelson pearlshe'd saved for a Frisco dancin' girlwho was sweet as kiwiSam told him soon as the plank was downhe was headed for the truest love he'd foundfor three days and three nightswhere each man's heart has its own tidesome drift toward gambling n ginand the sinking freedom of sinothers wash up close to homethe strongest anchor they've knownon shore leavesoon as they docked Sam banked his payrode a greydog down to Montereycos his girl lived out on the bayand God...he missed her kisseshe untied an old tub from the pierraised a ragged sail...let the four winds steerfelt the ocean's arms pull him nearcos she was his mistressfor a time the seas possess ev'ry pearlso passion is all he gives to his girlfor three days and three nightswhere each man's heart has its own tidesome drift toward gambling n ginand the sinking freedom of sinothers wash up close to homethe strongest anchor they've knownon shore leavethe bus rides up and down the coastare what he hates the mosthe'll tell his buddies back on boardnothing soothes a sailor morethan shore leaveshore leave(c)2006 Robert George