A Navy Man Poem by Patrick Ladbrooke

A stranger he will be
The sailor home from sea,
To child left in the womb
An infant now he's home.

He hugs his tearful wife
And cradles his new life,
Itches with the navy wool,
Feels it still, old briny's pull.

Child cries at the stranger,
Man controls his anger,
Woman weeps with laughter,
Joy now, sadness after.

What this is about -

When my father came home on leave from the Royal Navy, I was as small boy and didn't recognise him. It took some time to get used to him as I and then he was off again to sea.