Below the Waves
~~~
Submariners, a special breed
Sailing the depths of oceans blue
In the confines of sweating steel
A world bathed in fluorescent hue
~~~
The metal sings in creak and groan
As the depth and the pressure build
Warship patrols Poseidon’s home
Running quiet, these men so skilled
~~~
Whatever may befall this crew
They share the fate that lies below
There is no walking home from here
A tragic truth each one well knows
~~~
Like a dark hole in the water
They ply their deadly hunting trade
In the ghostly realm far below
Many sacrifices are made
~~~
And when in port for needed rest
They will appear a motley crew
For when you ride a nuke all day
You need to blow off steam it’s true
~~~
But you will not find one braver
Than these denizens of the sea
The bubbleheads do rule the deep
Unseen heroes in our Navy
~~~
commonsensiblyspeaking 
A wonderful ode to these brave souls. There is no way I could even visit one for a short time
But a wee thing like you would fit perfectly…😁
Nooooooo
they are a special breed; one of my former students was a captain of a nuke, stationed in Hawaii…
Yes, it takes a unique individual to handle that line of work……and we complain because we had to stay in our house for awhile…
well said. I think I could do it for an hour. but then maybe the first hour is the hardest, and once you get past that, it’s no big deal…
The closeness comes and goes. Sometimes you forget where you are and other times you are desperate to get out. The longest I was onboard was four days and that was plenty. But the best food in the Navy!
Do they keep a lot of sedatives on a submarine for when people get a bit anxious?
I don’t think so, Jim. I think they just go through a lot of trouble picking the right people to start with.
I’m sure the process makes an occasional mistake…
Reblogged this on Author DC Gilbert and commented:
All you Navy veterans oot there, check out this cool poem by Brad over at Commonsensiblyspeaking. Even an old grunt like me can appreciate this!
Thank you, Mr. Gilbert! I appreciate the support and hope your readers will enjoy this poem. Thank you to all who have and do serve in uniform!
Outstanding. DC Gilbert directed me here.
Perhaps you would be interested in this blog publishing poetry. I’m not a poet myself, but this might get more readers for this one.
https://cyforrestbooks.com/2020/10/01/nationalpoetryday-october-1st-2020-poetry-and-artwork-challenge-the-theme-is-vision-ocular-or-metaphorical-welcome-unpublished-published-work-welcome-dm-me-on-twitter-or-send-a/
Thank you, GP! I will stop by their site and submit this if I can. I appreciate the heads up and the support!
I can almost hear the silence beneath the waves, the occasional ping of the sonar and the footsteps of people against steel. Well written!
Thanks Jomz! I appreciate your support and commenting!
Without a doubt the bravest. I cannot express the amount of respect I’ve for those submariners of the navies of the world. You have written a beautiful and most worthy ode to those who patrol beneath the waves so that we may sleep tranquil in our beds. Wonderful and great work my friend!
Thank you my brother-in-arms. They are brave souls who dare tred the deep!
They are my brother, for sure.
It’s a great ode to the navy and soldiers of deep. While I know life for a solider on land, air or sea is never easy, I can’t deny the feeling it’s also adventurous, the possibility of witnessing ocean life and the unknown. And I got that feeling too ready this poem. Great work Brad 👌
For many, our time in the service is one of the greatest adventures of our lives. IT certainly leaves some of the most profound memories. Thanks for your kind words! Take care, my friend!