Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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The USS Constitution: Recollections of a Boy on One of Our Greatest Ships. Now sitting in Boston Harbor--Still commissioned ! The USS Constitution was visited by a small school boy. A very large ship for a little boy, Who imagined all that might have occurred, While this ship was a weapon maintaining freedom. Quick maneuvering, flashing cannons on her decks, Dexterously guided by her captains. It is said, cannon balls were deflated by her oaken hull. That is the origin for the name 'Old Ironsides'. Very low decks, as remembered by one Who imagined how much bending would be needed To be a tall man in amongst such quarters. Used by Jefferson to quell The raveging Tripoli pirates in the Barbary War! This beautiful wind powered ship Shall always be a memory of inspiration To now a grown, experienced cosmopolitan man, Who continually revered every moment, While conducting his own sailing. (Reviewing sections of Kilmeade's and Yeager's 'Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates', I was jolted into what was done with pirates blocking US trade and today's efforts to break the world blockade of the Red Sea and Suez by the Yemeni Houthis. History does repeat itself-- the Mediterranean and now the Red Sea. I was truly overwhelmed reviewing our history. My breath was taken away, almost to tears.) Frank Maurer 13 January 2024 1745 Hours.