The Midwatch

Lieutenant Fallon goes over the log
as I assume the midnight watch.
He heads for his rack in officer’s country.
I’ll be here until oh four hundred.

The ship is cruising at 15 knots
in calm waters west of Pearl
on the same great circle route
that always takes us to Subic Bay.

We’ll be in combat soon enough,
but not tonight—all is quiet.
I think of roommates I left behind
on Hillegass Avenue two years ago.

Roger with his history PhD.
is now an analyst for the C.I.A.;
Milt is an engineer at IBM;
and Walt is teaching Freshman Comp.

Their lives are set, but I’m here
standing watch, marking time
in harm’s way, but I don’t regret
that I am the one who chose to serve.

The midwatch is slow. I sip some coffee
simmering on the burner for many hours.
How long, oh how long, til four o’clock
when, finally, I can get some sleep?

At the end of the watch, I had a thought.
We all make choices and this is mine:
I love my country, America, my home;
because of love, I chose to serve.

NOTE: For Veteran’s Day 2025.

Contact info: davebaldwin37@gmail.com