THE FINAL LIBERTY

"Don't cry for me", the Sailor said.
"I may be gone, but I'm not dead.
I'm in the fluffy clouds above.
I'm on the ocean that I love.
I've sailed the seas for many years,
Gone through so many wars with fears,
That maybe we'd be blown away,
And may not live another day.
I've traveled round the world by sea
With buddies by my side in glee.
We took in all that we could see
On many a rough-house liberty.
Where fights broke out, but none were hurt.
A broken nose, a bloody shirt.
But back on board and safe on ship
We sat and bragged through a bloody lip.
And once again we'd hoist our sail
To another port, yet we'd never fail
To do the same thing once again.
Just sailor boys who would be men.
So try to understand I'm free
From sickness, age and what would be.
My spirits young and I am free!
I've gone on my Big Liberty.
With all the ones gone on ahead.
I'm free at last, so I'm not dead."

Helen L. Venneri
September 4, 1997