USSJamesMadison627.com

At the last reunion, a few of us were discussing the sinking of the submarine Scorpion SSN589 in May of 1968. At least two of my August 1967 Sub School classmates were assigned to the Scorpion when we graduated. I only realized it years later as I was looking at the signatures on the back of my class picture.
I wrote this poem on the airplane going to sub school and sent it to my girlfriend (later my wife) while in sub school. I think you will see why it gives me chills when I read it. I hope you enjoy it. The name of the poem is:

Groton Bound

High above the ground I fly
Far away from home
I wonder if tomorrow I’ll be
Somewhere beneath the sea.

I wasn’t born a wandering man
Destined to a life alone.
I need you now as I need my heart
Life has little meaning when we’re apart.

With pencil and paper, I capture my thoughts,
But melancholy stains every page -
Reflections of my inner self,
Without you, that’s all that’s left.

So, high above the ground I fly
But not in the direction of home,
Perhaps tomorrow will find me
Buried deep beneath the sea.


(Copyright TX0007785380 - RMB)

Roy, thanks for sharing your private poetry. It is very touching, in deed, and greatly appreaciated. JT

I remember my flight to Rotten Groton as well...Had to take a puddle jumper at one point and it scared me to death in rough weather...Roy reading your poems made me break mine out...I sure related to your writing. I enjoyed every one of them. Please post more if you have any...You can call me Ray, or you can call me KJ...or you can call me KJ Ray...just don't call me squid...

Hey, KJ, I saw a video of you on UTUBE... Looks like you are still writing and picking. I would like to see some more of your songs and prose here on this forum.