Sailors Away At Sea On The Grog Poem by Terence George Craddock

sailors on sailing ships
faced many day night dangers
perils weather storms
cold heat currents rocks;
running aground pirates
fires on ships sinking shipwrecks
wars plagues ship illness
one remedy for sailors was grog;

smoking can help prevent
colds smoke heat in throat
as opposed to cold moist;
air alcohol in blood stream
has a preventive effect
on bacteria virus infections;

but duration level severity
of intoxication causes other health
problems, an ancient remedy
for at risk sailors was grog;
containing fruit juice drunk
during slow wind sailing era
fruit juice contained necessary
vitamin C helped prevent scurvy;

water often went foul in barrels
rum was issued in royal navy
spirits like gin were onshore drunk;
at beginning of pandemic outbreaks
desperate times called for desperate
measures moral hope sought solutions;

drunk drowning sorrows on land
a daily measure of navy rum at sea
in an age of more future advanced;
medicine developed vaccinations
an offer researched healthier proves
longer lasting life saving solutions;


Terence George Craddock (Afterglows Echoes Of Starlight)
Copyright © Terence George Craddock