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a view of the fifties
A view of the fifties
lifebuoy, A soap a remember well on ships
there was no other soap it had a strong masculine scent
for those who didn't use Floyd aftershave.
We seamen were a clean race always a shower after work
and those who did not were soon persuaded to shower
and keep clean or, they had to take their food outside.
When going ashore in seaports in Britain, it was grey and
it appeared colour had not been invented.
The pubs closed early and were thick of cigarette smoke.
We usually ended up in a fish& chips shop, some of them
had tables made of Formica and not too clean.
What made life bearable was the many women, not prostitutes
but not sparing with what they had to offer.
Since there was nowhere to go, the loving was done in a dark
alleyway standing up leaning against a piss soaked wall.
Going back onboard to a well-lit ship and warm bunk was heavenly.
lifebuoy, A soap a remember well on ships
there was no other soap it had a strong masculine scent
for those who didn't use Floyd aftershave.
We seamen were a clean race always a shower after work
and those who did not were soon persuaded to shower
and keep clean or, they had to take their food outside.
When going ashore in seaports in Britain, it was grey and
it appeared colour had not been invented.
The pubs closed early and were thick of cigarette smoke.
We usually ended up in a fish& chips shop, some of them
had tables made of Formica and not too clean.
What made life bearable was the many women, not prostitutes
but not sparing with what they had to offer.
Since there was nowhere to go, the loving was done in a dark
alleyway standing up leaning against a piss soaked wall.
Going back onboard to a well-lit ship and warm bunk was heavenly.
Published 9th Aug 2020
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9th Aug 2020 4:04pm
I enjoyed this, and other poems you've posted.
In the US Navy in the late '70's it was Zest. It left us feeling "zestfully clean."
Yup.
No offense -- the occasional typo distracts from the smooth read.
Thanks.
J.
In the US Navy in the late '70's it was Zest. It left us feeling "zestfully clean."
Yup.
No offense -- the occasional typo distracts from the smooth read.
Thanks.
J.
I always enjoy your storied, oskar. I'm happy to see you back among us.
This glimpse of military life strikes a chord because my brother served in the US Coast Guard for 20 years. Some of the stories he would tell of ports resembled this one. It's a cold, hard glimpse of that lifestyle, and yet, to a sailor, the sea will always be home sans port of calls.
p.s. — I remember the smell of that soap! And Irish Springs! They both had this manly aroma about them.
This glimpse of military life strikes a chord because my brother served in the US Coast Guard for 20 years. Some of the stories he would tell of ports resembled this one. It's a cold, hard glimpse of that lifestyle, and yet, to a sailor, the sea will always be home sans port of calls.
p.s. — I remember the smell of that soap! And Irish Springs! They both had this manly aroma about them.
