Sonnets
and should NOT be used for any reason other than reading enjoyment |
The USS Chicago was recommissioned at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard on 2 May 1964 and left the yards for Long Beach. We were undergoing underway training and missile launch test at the San Clemente naval firing range, and returning to Long Beach on a regular basis.
One of the things I really enjoyed while in the Navy was to go back and visiting each of the houses that my family had lived in while I was growing up.
While in Long Beach, I decided to return to Palmdale to visit a home of so many childhood memories. While in Palmdale, I met Connie, who was soon to be my first wife. I was commuting to Palmdale (about 180 miles round trip) two (and sometimes four) times a week to spend time with her. When at sea, I would write letters and poetry. Connie and I married on January 29, 1966, in Palmdale.
Connie Jo
I had returned to visit where I had grown up Palmdale. Connie Jo and I met at a church in Palmdale on my first trip. Connie had grown up as a Jobs Daughter ('Jobies'), a daughter of a Free Mason.
As a child, she had contracted polio and spent time in the Los Angeles General Hospital polio ward, the same as my mother. This gave us a lot to talk about. We dated and traveled around Antelope Valley going to places I had visited in 1955. She was a concert piansist. I proposed to her and we planned to marry the following summer. In the fall of 1965, Chicago got orders to go to WestPac (Western Pacific Operations Area/Viet Nam) and we changed our wedding to the spring of 1966 so we could have time together before the ship left the States.
We took up residence in a cute house on Orchard Avenue (in the Point Loma section) in San Diego. The landlord had just painted the house inside and out and it was 'our castle on the hill'.
Here are a few sonnets that I recently found while doing a genealogy project for my daughter, with whom I have recently, reconnected after three decades.
Connie Jo
There is no poem that can be written
that can tell how I have been smitten
by a woman so lovely and sincere.
Is it any wonder my love's so dear?
For sickness, her kisses I would prescribe.
Her charms are to much for me to describe.
In one word, she is beautiful.
Never had I thought that during my life
I would ask any girl to be my wife.
For it will be my duty and my chore
to bestow my going love more and more
on the pretty girl who is my first choice.
Now I will use my pen and raise my voice,
my love for her is bountiful.
My Lonely Thoughts
As I sit alone, watching the dark skies above,
I think of the shore and the one I dearly love.
All alone are you as you sit at home and weep.
All alone am I while I sail the oceans deep.
Hoping and praying that I shall again come near,
wishing and hoping to see you, my love so dear,
knowing for sure that you are loved.
As I enter port, I see the one I left behind
and embrace the one that can see into my mind.
Hoping to again feel the emotions that inspires
longing to repeat the moments that have transpired.
You standing beside me, quiet and transfixed.
You say "I love you", with tears and sobs intermixed,
and I know for sure that I am loved.
- Sonnet for my Sweetheart
As I sit here alone, thinking of what to write,
I think of your quick mind and eyes blue and bright.
I remember your smile and how pretty the sight
of your face in the dark, your kiss so very light.
I'll remember always the Saturday night
I tried to control my voice, I tried with all my might,
I asked you to be my wife.
You have since then my love, filled my mind night and day.
Your tiniest, small wish has been an order to obey.
It is my wish that you happy, and I pray
I shall make you happy, as happy as I may.
But I sit here alone, I know what I will say,
Yet when we meet again, I know what I will say
I am your for all my life.
- Letter Number One
I had just completed reading you note
when I re-read every character you wrote.
Seeing the paper and your words upon it
gave me the thought for composing the sonnet.
My wonderful, pleasant thoughts could fill a book.
As I suit her in my quite, little nook
knowing I love you too.
These words are dry and I am afraid the may
not equal the words I really want to say.
This poor short sonnet doe not have enough lines
to say all it should, but it does have the sign
of something requiring lots of thought and time.
Wait until you try to find a phrase to rhyme
with "All my love to you"
- Letter number Two
No one could stop after reading number one letter.
Your words were as bright as the sun, better.
I read number two and tried to write a rhyme
thanking you for the effort and amount of time
spent reading these poor, humble poems I write.
I know you must love me both day an night
and I love you too.
Always shall I be attentive and concerned
but I see this is something you've already learned.
Important are the quiet moments comments
and thinking of the past days and nights events
but I definitely think none can compare
with the moments alone with you --- anywhere!
So, my thanks to you!
- Letter Number Three
Now letter three was a treat, a special treat.
I received a picture, very pure and sweet.
The poem on the back does not stand a chance.
It's nice but the woman will I know entrance
any mortal soul, I feel it is a shame
Sunset, though lovely, is such a common name.
Compared with you though, the sunset looks sad.
We have a language all our very own.
No words are expressed unless you are alone.
When you are with someone you love very deep,
you must try not to hurt them, nor make them weep.
Any tears I shed are tears of joy.
When we marry, will the first child be a boy
or a girl, with us as their Mom and Dad?
- Letter Number Four
This sonnet is to hold a tender promise.
Each letter is worth a poem or a kiss
you can collect whichever you desire
Your letters are wonderful for they inspire.
Do you remember a month ago today?
We met in Church, before God to kneel and pray.
Seven hundred, forty-four hours ago.
I just received another wonderful note.
The subject is unhappy and I denote
a sense of dislike of being called my wife.
(Do you not agree that marriage is for life?)
Get used to the idea, loving bride,
for next year we march down the aisle side by side,
two hundred and forty days from now, you know!
See also Sincere (for its' true meaning)
What links here • References and Sources • Help • Contact info • Category:Root ⤴