This Poem was Submitted By: Mark D. Kilburn On Date: 2001-06-07 14:44:29 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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LIFE JACKET

   Here's the story of a couple of brothers,   their families and a trip up north,    a tired little five-horse engine   and a boat the waves knocked back and forth.    They had gone up to their cabin   to feel the Minnesota sun;    to enjoy the lakes   for heaven sakes,    we're going for some summertime fun.    Paul had asked Dave to see an island   in the middle of a very large bay.    Dave didn't seem to excited,   but he said it was probably okay.    They loaded up the wives, kids and everything,   leaving only the kitchen sink,    then they started to go,   it was ever so slow;    let's hope they don't land in the drink.    We are out on a boat, that's   loaded down with children    and it might not float;   too small an engine.    The lake is deep,   the waves are steep,    I hope we can all survive.    Around noon the weather got a little cloudy,   so we nibbled on a sandwich or two.    Paul had to see Gull Island,   just something that he needed to do.    soon the rains came down, everyone wore a frown,   there was nothing you could do or say.    It was rainy and cold,   that's the story I'm told;    we should have done it on another day.    Soon the boat was flying out of the water,   so Dave asked Paul to stop nice.    Paul had to see the seagulls,   Davey wasn't going to ask twice.    Kids were wailing on the port side,   kids were crying on the bow.    Dave said to Paul,   "You are going to kill us all,    damnit turn this boat around now"!       We are out on a boat, that's   loaded down with children    and it might not float;   too small an engine.    The lake is deep,   the waves are steep.    I hope we can all survive.    Every story has a little moral,   this one is short and sweet.    When you go up north for vacation   pick a place that has some streets.    If you ever want to go to Gull Island,   be sure you get a weather report.    I know that lake is deep    and those waves are steep,    they might just cut your big trip short.          

Copyright © June 2001 Mark D. Kilburn

Additional Notes:
This is a true story that happened in 1959 and is still told today. I heard it so often that I finally wrote it down. It was also the only time anyone could remember Uncle Dave swearing so I included the quote.


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