All For Their Amore Waiting Home
(A Shanty)
from coast to coast
they sail
welcome on board
they yell.
they moor, unmoor
vessels in ports
they secure, unsecure
cargo as well.
it’s a work
from dusk ’till dawn
all for their amore
waiting home.
off to explore
come rain or shine
the world ’round
they drift, they float,
they bob.
’round the world
they go, all for
their amore
waiting home.
at sun down
they mourn and frown
missin’ home, land
in town.
at the break of dawn
they yawn and pray
another day, to
float and play.
sea is a ghost town
it’s okay, they won’t
back down, all for
their amore
waiting home.
Author’s Note:
I am from the Philippines, the world’s largest supplier of seafarers. We played an important role in the supply of seafarers, which are the foundation of global logistics.
The Philippines is a third world country with a struggling economy, and a very few or minimal job offerings that could uplift the living condition of anyone working. In this case, young Filipino men (most, if not all) dreamt of becoming a seafarer one day, with the hope of providing enough for their families.
Filipino seafarers are the sons of fishermen, carpenters and rice farmers. They left behind lives in provincial villages where they could expect to make at $1000 a month. Ten times the amount, often earned locally.
This is the reason why despite the challenges and difficulties of maritime work, they opted to stay because it reaps high financial rewards. And they do it, all for the love of their families and loved ones left at home.
Day 10 NaPoWriMo
Today’s daily prompt again comes from our archives. I challenge you to write a sea shanty (or shantey, or chanty, or chantey — there’s a good deal of disagreement regarding the spelling!) Anyway, these are poems in the forms of songs, strongly rhymed and rhythmic, that sailors might sing while hauling on ropes and performing other sea-going labors. Probably the two most famous sea shanties (at least before TikTok gave us The Wellerman) are What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor? and Blow the Man Down. And what should your poem be about? Well, I suppose it could be about anything, although some nautical phrases tossed into the chorus would be good for keeping the sea in your shanty. Haul away, boys, haul away!