I Left My Hat on Bom Bom Island

This poem was written after an exciting trip ashore by tender from the “Caronia” while anchored off Bom Bom island off the West Coast of Africa You know when you're sitting relaxing, and dangling your feet in the pool The last thing you think is to put down your drink, and to rush off would be really cruel. And so we all sat about laughing, enjoying a tonic and gin When somebody raised an arm skywards "That black cloud is looking quite grim". "I suppose we should head for the tender", so we gathered our towels and our shoes But we hated to race from this beautiful place and the thought of it gave us the blues. As we started to cross the long causeway I paused to take just one more shot Of the sparkling sunlight that gleamed on the bay, of the palms trees, the reef, the whole lot. Ahead of me strode Jess and Peter, I could tell it was them by her hat But a rain laden wind sliced between us, and her hat it was gone, that was that. We forced our heads into the monsoon as we struggled to get across fast When out of the rain came a desperate voice "Please show me your ship boarding pass". "You jolly well have to be joking" but our words whipped away on the wind, Did she think we were trying to smuggle aboard, if she did, then I'm sorry, we sinned. We all found a seat on the tender which was lashed by strong rope to the dock But we soon realised that this wasn't too wise as the waves made us shudder and rock. "We'll have to get clear of the quayside" and the crew gunned the engines and turned, We watched with sad heart, it was time to depart, and for more terra firma we yearned. There were only a few of us passengers, there was Peter and Jessie and me, And the gang from West Enders, a few other folk, I suppose all in all, twenty three. The most comforting sight was a pineapple, "We'll keep it in case of dire need, I've got a sharp knife, it belongs to my wife, we can cut it, and have a good feed". "You're not going to eat my pineapple" said Jill who had bought it that day, "It cost me a lot and I don't care a jot, you can eat him instead, that's OK" She was pointing to one of her fellows,a lovely guy,Terry by name" I'm really not tasty, so don't be too hasty and I also don't think that I'm game. You should first eat the biggest and fattest" (I tried to hide under the seat) "They'll taste so much better and take up less room and there'll certainly be much more meat". We decided that singing was safer and struck up a few jolly songs But we soon found that some of the singers were really not singing along. One by one, their colour was changing and a couple leaned over the side I think they were trying to fatten the fish or decide if they liked them deep fried. But we sang just to show we were British, and to show that we weren't going to panic We sang hits from the shows that everyone knows but decided to pass on 'Titanic'. It was then that the crew had a brainwave and produced an enormous great tub Oh good, time for lunch, we could do with a munch, they must be providing the grub. But it didn't turn out to be salads, roast beef or nice pudding that fills, Instead on the side writ in letters quite wide were the dark words for us "Sea Sick Pills". Well some of us got out our cameras, and some grabbed a pill in each hand And although we weren't scared, the one thing we shared was a longing, for ship board or land. Still the waves grew in size and in motion and the crew steered a course through the storm And we sang and we laughed and we cheered and we barfed, but complaining would just be bad form. It took time but we got there quite safely, and were met with strong arms and warm towels Which was really the best thing to give us, as we looked like a batch of drowned fowls. But a strong cup of tea, a hot shower, and an insight of storms close at hand Had cemented our friendships, created a bond and we felt like a special brave band. And we knew that from Captain to deck hand, everyone had done all that he could To get us back safely and care for our lives and had always looked out for our good. So remember when you are back home again or feeling a little bit lonelier That you proudly can say " I remember the day that I made it - "Bom Bom to Caronia". Dedicated to Captain Nick Bates and the crew of the Number 10 Lifeboat 27th March 2003