Navy Days

I was standing watch,
on board our ship,
in Yokosuka Bay, in February,
on the forward deck
of our ship, DE699, the
USS Marsh.
The cold was bitter,
with a light breeze.
The air cut through
my heavy, wool, pea coat.
I toured the bow to make
sure no one was attempting
to board us, in this foreign
country.
I would step inside the hatch
to the passageway, to avoid the
wind and the chill as I was on
a 4-hour duty station.
I can still feel the chill when I
think back on that day