Ode to Arctic Tern Crew
Composed by B. Jackson

Bow, stern, cockpit, and helm,
Hatches, portholes, hulls, and keels,
Cabins, Galley, Head, and Bilge,
On deck and below, boat places to know.

Lines, Ropes, Sheets, and Cleats,
Masts, Booms, Travelers, Vangs, and Whisker poles,
Spinnakers, Genoas, Staysails, and Main,
Learn the parts and sail names before you go.

Telltales, Sail Luffs, Lifts, and Flutters,
Upwind, Offwind, and Reaching techniques,
Recognize these and grasp the relationship of
Wind angle direction and heading to "reach" or "beat".

Broad reach, close reach, or run with the wind,
Lift the cam, grab a wench,
Pull in the sheet, come about, or hard alee,
Listen to the Captain, these commands keep us neat.

Radios, GPSs, Charts, and Bearings,
Weather, Depth, and Plotting.
Direction, position, distance, and speed,
Be aware of these for a first class outing.

Generators, Wind Mills, and Solar Panels,
Batteries, Fuel, Water, and Food,
Anchors, snuffers, dinghys, and fenders,
These necessary wants, help the yacht make do.

It's not all work, there is fun to be had,
New harbors, paths, and anchorages to explore,
Markets that sell fresh fruits and vegetables to eat,
The cook's "passion" implores one to devour and request more.

There is the land lubber's way to bathe, fish, and dine,
But it's more fun to obtain sea legs, eat while at sea,
Lather and rinse in the cockpit, let the wind and sun dry your skin,
Use the potty the Mariner's way.... it is all rather divine, wouldn't you agree?

Several flags fly from boat sterns, signaling lands from far and wide,
Therefore make note of the nearby anchoring neighbors and friends one meets.
Ignore those French who intrude on your "sea space", no "moaning" is allowed,
Rather enjoy a fine chat, with Canadians, the Brits, the Sweeds, and others as you please.

Look quick! Flying fish skim the surface and play,
Boobies, Frigates, Seagulls, fly near, but do not stay,
A Barracuda spies a snorkeler deep,
Tropical fish lead swimmers further into the reef.

The Worthy Captain, the First Mate and Cook,
Gently impart knowledge and terms to absorb and execute.
Some items were familiar, but much, much, more was new,
All these things we learned from the magnificent Arctic Tern Crew.

There is an old sailor saying,
"Red Sky at Morning, Sailor's take warning, Red Sky at night, Sailor's delight".
For us it did not matter, this adage did not apply,
We shared wonderful company, had a grand cruise, and saw many new sights!