The seaman

BETWEEN THE INNOCENCE OF CHILDHOOD AND

THE RUTHLESSNESS OF ADULTERY, THERE IS

A SPECIFIC BREED OF MAN, CALLED THE SEAMAN.

SEAMEN CAN BE FOUND, IN BARS, IN CONVERSATIONS,

IN BED, IN DEBT, AND IN DRUNKEN CONDITION.

THEY ARE TALL, SHORT, DARK, BLOND, FAT OR SLENDER.

BUT THEY ARE NEVER NORMAL.

THEY HATE SHIPFOOD, CAPTAINS, CHIEF ENGINEERS,

WRITING LETTERS, SAILING ON SATURDAYS,

AND DRY SHIPS.

THEY LOVE PAY OFFS, PIN - UPS, SYMPATHY, COMPLAINING

AND BEER.

THE SECRET DREAMS OF EVERY SEAMAN ARE,

TO TRADE PLACES, FOR A WHILE, WITH THE SHIPOWNER,

OWN A BREWERY,

AND TO BE LOVED BY EVERYBODY.

THE SEAMAN IS AN ADVANTAGE DURING WAR,

BUT A PARASITE, IN PEACETIME.

NO ONE IS SO ABUSED, SO MISUNDERSTOOD,

AND NO ONE IS THE SUBJECT OF SO MANY UNJUSTIFIED

BLAMES, AS THE SEAMAN.

HE HAS THE PATIENCE OF JOB, A STUPID HONESTY,

AND A HEAVENLY GIFT TO LAUGH AT HIMSELF.

THE SEAMAN IS SIR GALAHAD IN A CALCUTTA BORDELLO.

NO ONE, CAN CREATE SUCH A LONGING,

SUCH AN AFFECTION,

AND SUCH A THRILL,

LIKE THE SEAMAN,

WHEN RETURNING HOME AFTER A LONG VOYAGE,

AS HE WALKS IN,

WITH THE MAGIC WORDS ON HIS LIPS

YOU GOT ANY BEER...

22.4.2024