FIRST OCEAN VOYAGE

Yes, we had a river in the town of my birth and a small lake.
What we had was a big puddle and rowboats a trip to take.
Mother was afraid, but Father liked to take me for a row,
and I could not wait for him to ask me if I wanted to go.

Growing up I had to learn to go to the bath, learn how to swim-
with a belt around the middle, the teacher held me on a heavy string.
Never afraid of the water, I soon got to enjoy this healthy exercise,
and, with my school friends, to swim, I thought, was ever so nice.

Then came the time when the big ocean beckoned and I wanted to go,
took a long train trip to a harbor city where strong winds did blow.
A huge steamer was tied to the wharf, big stairs I had to ascend-
I was ever so lucky a young group of travelers to befriend.

This first voyage was calm, meeting these people was much fun
in no time at all we heard interesting stories from most everyone.
With my knowledge of English I got along with much ease,
with some of them I was able to keep in touch, it did so please !

Otto Ross
April 2011