"Aye Ye Matey, Windward's the Name": A Collection of Poetic Short Stories

by T.W. Sanford

Overview

This collection of poetic short stories includes a glimpse of life, imagination, love, nature and beauty. It speaks to the hearts of all, explores the meaning of life and stares into the inherent sadness that such beauty can bring. Beginning with a love story on an open ocean with regrets of life choices and dreams bigger than life itself; it then turns to man talk on porches wide and ends with love poems only lovers should read.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781463406097
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	06/28/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	458 KB

Read an Excerpt

"Aye Ye Matey, Windward's the Name"

A Collection of Poetic Short Stories

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By T.W. Sanford

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 T.W. Sanford
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4634-0585-4

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Chapter One

    Treasures In An Old Attic

    It was summer vacation
    And I was spending it at the ocean
    At my family's cliff-side home
    And I was thoroughly enjoying the solitude
    Of my being there all alone

    The cliff-side house is the house
    That was built by my great great grandfather
    Few come here anymore
    It needs some tending
    But still a beautiful here upon the shore

    The days had all been warm and sunny
    The rhythmic waves never varied
    From their constant washing of the shore
    Sea gulls squawked their always complaints
    Always heard above the ocean's roar

    Soon there came a day
    Unlike the days as before
    There came from out of the ocean
    An early morning summer storm

    An awakening lightning struck near the lighthouse
    Huge waves crashed against the boulders
    The wind and the rain and the crashing salty water
    Made it all somewhat colder

    This would be a day spent inside the old house
    So I set myself to explore
    And it was soon that I found myself
    Standing at the top of the stairs
    Opening the attic-way door

    With a lighted candle
    I entered the dark filled room
    And every so often a lightning bolt
    Would flash through the window
    Creating the eeriest loom

    Although dark and foreboding one would assume
    I felt no fear ... Not even the slightest sense of doom
    I felt as a child-explorer on some adventurous park ride
    An Egyptian lost tomb
    What unknown treasures lay inside

    There were treasures everywhere
    There was an old diving-bell helmet
    Made of copper and brass
    With little round windows
    Made of the thickest glass

    An old set of English teacups with pot
    I found newspaper wrapped
    And so carefully boxed

    An angled piece of polished wood
    I found just lying about
    A down-under boomerang
    Without a doubt

    An African shield with spear and mask
    A hula dress
    Made of long dried grass

    All about me were strewn
    My great great grandfather's treasures
    A man I never knew

    And then ... There in a dimly lit corner
    Behind a painted oriental screen
    The light hit it just right
    From my little candle's beam

    An old sea chest
    Filled with ... Yet
    Even more unknown wonderful things

    There as I moved the decorative screen away
    The sun came through the window glass
    In a warm burst of rays
    Quickly gone was the storm
    That had set my adventurous day

    I pulled the chest near to the window
    Setting free the cob-webs and dust
    Hinges and hasp all trimmed in brass ... No rust
    It was mine to open
    And to know what lay inside ... Was a must

    The hasp was closed but not locked
    So I slowly lifted open its top
    And there in the light
    As though on a spot-lighted stage
    All alit were the treasures
    That the old chest contained

    There to the left
    Among some charts and maps
    All tooled in gold
    Lay a Sea Captain's hat

    There to the right
    Tucked down way in
    A half hour glass
    Still dry was its sand

    Near the back
    A shiny brass telescoping glass
    And there in the front of the chest
    A large compass pointing west

    And beneath it all
    I found a Captain's uniform
    All decorated with medals
    Of shinning silver and gold
    Here I had found a mystery
    One that my family never told
    It came to my mind
    That maybe even they didn't know

    I sat the telescope
    The sand time glass and the compass
    Each on the floor
    Carefully I removed
    The Captain's dress uniform

    Perfect was the condition of its fabric
    I noticed there were no moth eaten holes
    For the chest was cedar wood lined
    Everything about this old sea chest
    Was of the finest quality of its time

    When I removed the uniform
    I uncovered a huge book
    All brass and leather bound
    Oh ... What mystical treasure had I found

    How old could it be
    This huge tome
    How many years had this book been here
    Unread ... Alone

    I pulled it from the chest
    Its long time darken grave
    I removed it from its dormant rest
    No telling how long it had laid

    There I was seated on the floor
    All aglow in the window's rays
    I opened its leather binder
    And looked upon the elegance
    Of a gold bordered page

    An old family bible I had found
    A book I suspected
    None of the rest of my family
    Even knew was around

    I began leafing through the pages
    One golden edged leaf at a time
    It brought a kind of rush to me
    This treasure ... This wonderful find

    The first few pages
    Were intended to be for begotten names
    Who begot who
    And the times and the places
    That all the begetting began

    But a line had been drawn through
    The title at the top of the page
    And written in bold hand just below
    Instead in its place
    These Are My Children ...
    From God With Grace

    Yes ... These pages were filled
    And I had never heard of
    Any of the names
    There was always the hint
    That there was a Captain
    And he was a little somewhat strange

    I continued with what was now a quest
    Turning the pages of the huge tome
    Soon I turned to an inserted loose paper
    Hand written ... Just stuck in alone

    The paper was signed by a lad named John
    It told about how he wanted to be just like his Papa
    And how proud he was to be his Papa's son

    It was a delightful paper that I read
    It told about dreams
    That a lot of little boys once had

    It was a wonderful find
    Those old thoughts ... Written back in that time
    And at the bottom paper ... John Windward signed
    Queried became my thoughts
    Oh but ... What other delightful morsels might I find

    There I was seated cross-legged upon the floor
    Still all alit by the window's rays
    I did not remove that paper ... I just left it there
    For I felt it was somehow a part of the book
    And it needed to stay

    The surprise of the unbound paper find
    Seemed to quicken my play
    It all felt like I was seated upon
    And now a part of
    A leather-bound ...
    Etched and bordered in gold ...
    Kindly shanghaied ... Lured onto ...
    An old Captain's stage

    Leaf after holy leaf I turned
    Being so very careful with everyone
    Excited with each
    In what might be yet to come

    Many unbound papers I found placed therein
    There I took the day and read each one
    There I got to know
    An old Sea Dog named John

    I have reproduced those old papers
    And placed a copy of each herein
    So if you have a mind to
    Here inside you might find
    Someone who long ago
    You would have called a friend

    "Aye Ye Matey,
    Windward's The Name"


    A Setting By The Sea

    Here before you is unveiled
    The life of a once small lad
    He who had the dream to grow
    To be the same as his dad

    Made of gold were the waves in his hair
    An ocean of blue-green were his eyes
    A good little boy
    Born with dreams
    Filled with pride

    A little toy wooden boat
    Carefully tied
    Secured by a string
    Each evening by the ocean's edge
    He with his older brother
    Always that little boat
    The little boy would bring

    His mother and father
    Were taken away by a typhoon
    To know the emotions of such
    Came far too early ... Much too soon

    Karmic fate descends upon a spiral
    And upon life it can prevail
    Upon these found papers
    There is a spiral
    And oh so fated is the tale


    When I Get Big

    He set the course of his life
    By the stars in the sky
    He was a ship's Captain
    Ocean-blue-green
    Were my Papa's eyes
    I remember his face
    I remember being at his side
    I feel I knew him well
    And I have recalled them all
    Everyone of his wonderful tales

    And I have retold them all
    Each and everyone
    Ever since I was very young

    "My Papa is a Captain
    The Captain of a tall sail rig
    I'll gonna be just like my Papa
    When I grow up and be big

    There'll be no string
    Tied to my stern
    I'm gonna be free to see the world
    And learn all there is to learn

    Fill my sail ... Set my jib
    Plot a course to the North Pole
    And see where Santa lives

    From that place so cold
    Down to the Antarctic I'll go
    See if folks really do fall off
    Or if they've got a really good hold
    Way down there
    Near the South Pole

    While I'm still down under
    I'll stop and visit the Emus
    And the Kangaroos
    Just to see the life they live
    When they're not pinned-up in zoos

    Then I'll sail ore to England land
    Lay my course by a southern wind
    There I'll set my pocket piece
    Set it correct by Big Ben
    And while there I'll make my way
    To Camelot and shake King Arthur's hand
    I'll sit at his famed round table
    Raise my cup
    There among noble men

    I'll sail round to Holland town
    Clog about in wooden shoes
    Ride up beside old Don Quixote
    Have a tiff
    With a windmill or two

    I'll set search for the Golden Fleece
    Go where only Jason and his brave men ever dared to reach

    I'll eye the White Whale
    While perched atop an eagle's nest
    Aye therr' she blows ... å
    Ahab's last quest

    I'll swim the calm waters
    Where dolphins dance on their tails
    Take a fun ride
    Upon the first fin by
    Ride atop an Orca Whale

    I'll have no time
    For frilly girls and such
    The Captain of a tall sail ship
    That's what I'll be
    When I grow up

    Full sail ... Full rig
    I'm gonna see the world
    Just like my Papa
    When I get big"

    John T. Windward II


    Wooden Boats

    It wasn't that long ago
    Back when I was a younger lad
    That I dreamed the dream
    That many a young boy had

    Someday I'll sail
    Ore the seven seas
    Stand atop the tallest ship's mast
    And breathe the salty breath
    Of every ocean breeze

    I'll live my life
    Aboard a wooden boat
    "Aye Ye Matey, Windward's the Name"

    Wind filled sails
    Will set my ship afloat

    I'll hunt for lost treasure
    Lay a course by a Pirate's map
    I'll dig up all his gold
    Aye ... Fill my pockets fat

    Brilliant sunsets await me
    Those which men's words
    Could never describe
    Aye ... Never before seen
    By mere mortal eyes

    Full sail ships
    And sunset eves
    Somewhere in a distance afar
    I'll know my place
    By heaven lit skies
    Aye ... The hanging of the stars

    Uncharted isles are yet mine to discover
    Places where
    There's never been another
    There I'll put my name
    Upon every Captain's chart
    Just a wee place on a map
    There I'll leave my mark

    I'll sail the Tradewinds
    And take my chance at fortune
    I'll sail where no ship has been
    Aye ... I'll be the first one

    Calm seas ... Clear skies
    I got my Papa's
    Ocean-blue-green eyes

    John Thomas Windward II


    My First Tall Ship

    To my most generous brother
    James

    My first tall ship
    I feel proud to serve upon
    It is a fine vessel
    And I feel sure
    It will return me home

    I owe so much to you James
    For all your care and aid
    I never could have made it
    As a Cadet
    And someday I hope
    I can repay

    Tall ships have always
    Been my dream
    Ever since I was a wee lad
    Now I have climbed
    To the tallest ship's yard arm
    And in my heart
    All I can feel
    Is glad

    I watch the leaving horizon
    Of my past
    Sink slowly into the sea
    As my ship moves slowly
    Into the unknowing
    All that is ... Is in front of me

    James ...

    You know it came to me
    I sure wish Momma and Papa
    Could have been there
    There at the graduation
    I know they would have been proud
    And then it came to my mind
    Just maybe they were somehow
    Looking down through
    A heavenly cloud

    I have to go
    Duty calls
    I thank you again James
    I thank you for it all

    Your Little Brother
    Gunnery Officer
    John Thomas Windward II


    This, My Ship of War

    My most supporting brother
    James

    These first few weeks
    Here aboard
    This my ship of war

    My first fleet regatta
    Aye ... Tis a sea going carnival day
    Aye ... Tis a fanciful dress nautical parade

    Dress the ship's lifeboats
    In a most whimsical display
    Then race them about the ships harbor
    A race among others ...
    The whimsical same

    Aye ... Tis a fun filled ...
    Light hearted
    Gala day

    An Oriental Junk
    With a somewhat odd
    Bearded maiden crew ...
    American Indians in war paint
    And them bearded too
    All bare-chested with nautical tattoos

    For the winners of the Regatta
    A keg of rum their prize
    And upon the harbor pole
    Their ship's banner they can fly

    Seamen must share
    Their locker sea chest
    This is where they keep
    Their personal attire
    Aye ... Their best dress

    A drunken wench upon his arm
    A belly filled with rum
    A three-spar ship
    Tattooed upon his chest
    No more than this
    Does a seaman ask

    A young seaman
    Did stab an officer
    Way down in the hold
    He did kill that officer
    Aye ... He did kill him cold

    The young man testified
    Of the way he had been shanghaied
    Aye ... Twas this ship's

    Press-gang
    And the Officer he stabbed
    Was the man he blamed
    "Aye ... He was the scoundrel"
    "Aye ... One in the same"

    "He took me from my wife
    He stole me from my child
    I swore my revenge
    And now I stand on trial"

    Although the young man
    With madness
    He may have been ... Insane
    But the Captain's order was
    "Hang him from the main spar yard arm ...
    And we did hang him just the same"

    Later
    We sewed him in his canvas
    And placed two cannonballs
    One at his head
    One at his feet
    There we sent him over the side
    Down into the briny deep

    Four seamen were caught
    While playing the dice
    Four seamen were flogged
    "Now all men of vice"
    Says the Captain ...
    "Thinks twice"

    When seamen are out at sea too long
    They have dreams of mermaids
    Half woman ... Half fish
    Aye ... To have one for his own
    Aye ... Tis a lustful wish

    Roll tight your hammock
    For it must pass through the ring
    File away the cannon ball's rust
    Lay it slick with grease
    For it must fire clean

    When the battle comes
    And you can see into the Enemies eyes
    Aye ... Tis a evil closeness ...
    The cannon broadside
    Never before
    Have I been a witness
    When men have to Die
    ... Cannon Broadside ...

    The surgeon is quick
    Razor-teeth is his saw
    Sharp is his blade
    There in the bucket
    Another person's arm
    Another person's leg
    Another broadside
    Will come today
    I must keep the surgeon
    Far at bay

    War is nigh ... a child's game
    I take much care
    To return home
    The same

    Your little brother
    Gunnery Officer
    John Thomas Windward II

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from "Aye Ye Matey, Windward's the Name" by T.W. Sanford Copyright © 2011 by T.W. Sanford. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

"Aye Ye Matey, Windward's the Name"....................I
Nature Sounds....................II Man Talk....................III Oak Philosophy....................IV Garden Wall....................V