I wrote this poem for a nephew’s college graduation party
after he obtained a degree in welding.
I’m here
to tell the story of a nephew and a friend
Eastern
Maine Tech College is the school he did attend.
He
always made the dean’s list where he’d matriculated.
And then
he found an awesome job, post-haste, once graduated.
He went
to BIW, the shipyard down in Bath.
They
wanted men with welding skills who, too, were good in math.
And in a
nutshell—that was Rick! That boy could make a weld!
He was
an expert at the skill of making metals meld!
His
foreman soon discovered—having Bessey was a perk.
He had a
great work ethic and was sent to Arleigh Burke.
These
warships were the most advanced to sail around the world.
And Rick
was proud to build a ship where Stars and Stripes unfurled.
He
tested out his talents, those skills he’d learned in class…
Ox-y-a-CET-y-lene for pipes, (you know…that is a gas!)
For much
in building frigates, this gas would take no part,
For it
was really suited more for brazing and for art.
When
over-lapping metal--that weld was called a ‘spot’.
Because
Rick was proficient, his expertise was sought.
And,
too, he was quite handy at welding with resistance.
It was
more complicated, sure! But Rick, he had persistence.
Forge
welding was the oldest kind—all welders will concur.
Rick
heated metal, pounded it… ‘til bonding did occur.
But
Ricky had a fav’rite; t’was welding with an arc!
He got a
‘charge’ when that electrode made an awesome spark.
As much
as Rick loved welding, as good as his career…
He had a
little worry that was turning into fear.
He
hadn’t found a woman. Most weren’t up to snuff.
He
simply hadn’t met a girl who offered him enough.
He
dreamed of getting married. He owned a nice new house.
But it
was pretty lonely there without a loving spouse.
But
Rick, he worked both night and day! He had no time to meet
A lady
who was charming, and was pretty and was sweet!
He
pondered his conundrum as he welded up a joint,
Then
through his mask he saw a hand. And then a finger point.
‘That
joint is not done properly. That weld is an abortion!
‘I can
CLEARLY see from here--rotational distortion!
‘You’ve
got residual stress, there! No! Shrinkage will not work!
‘Remember, kid! You’re working on the class of Arleigh
Burke!’
Rick
quit what he was doing. His visor he did flip.
‘Just
who the hell are you, girl? Don’t give me any lip!’
He spoke
the words in anger, for he knew that she was right.
He’d
been more concentrated on his lonely wife-less plight.
But as
he scowled across the haze of flux-created smoke
He got
his first long look upon the bossy girl who’d spoke.
My God,
she was a beauty! In tight jeans and a tee
That
said, ‘I melt quite easily with AC or DC!’
Blond
hair up in a pony-tail, strong arms with welder’s tan…
She
glared right back at Ricky, and said, ‘My name is Fran!
‘Look, I
won’t go too hard on you. But clamp the two in place!
‘We’re
building for our country, and that joint is a disgrace!’
Rick bit
back his excuses. It seemed he worked for her!
And in
his heart young Ricky… he really did concur.
‘Yes
ma’am, I’ll get right on it!’ (He wanted to salute!
But if
this babe was now his boss, that might get him the boot.)
He
didn’t want cold-cracking, so the pieces he off-set,
And made
the weld ONE OF THE BEST the US Navy’d get.
And
later on that evening, Rick wandered into town.
To get
the girl struck from his mind, her memory he’d drown.
‘I’ll
take a rum and cola,’ he ordered from the lass
Who
tended bar that evening and was wiping dry a glass.
The
barmaid turned her eye to him, and Rick, he felt a start.
It was
the bossy welder girl! Be still, his beating heart!
‘I’m
sorry! Do you work here? Or over at the docks?’
She
swept him with a scathing look and tossed her golden locks.
Rick
couldn’t really help it. At legs and bust he glanced.
He’d
known already she was technologically advanced!
But she
sure had a body! Her face was fine of bone…
And
Rick, well, he responded in his ‘heat affected zone’.
‘Why is
it that you men-folk all seem to be such jerks?
‘Why is
it that a GIRL can’t fabricate down at ‘The Works’?’
Rick
felt his face go rosy. Now, sexist he was NOT!
He’d
welded with a few great girls who’d learned all they were
taught.
It
seemed that Fran and Ricky were destined to butt heads!
But
rather than rise to her bait, he gave a smile instead.
‘You’re
right! We men are naught but cads! The lowest of the low!
‘But I,
for one, would LOVE to see you make electrodes glow!’
Her
pretty lips, they barely twitched, but then she gave a
smirk.
‘Yup,
there’s no doubt about it! Each one of you’s a jerk!’
She
placed in front of Ricky a glass of Coke and rum.
‘Are you
of age to drink this? Or should you ask your mum?’
‘I’ll
show you my ID card, to prove I’m not a fraud!
‘I know
it’s in here somewhere… down by my braising rod!’
At this
Fran gave a raucous hoot. ‘You’re suffering exposure!
‘When
next you weld make sure you stay in posi-press enclosure!’
The two
young welders hit their strides. They bantered to and fro.
And like
the alloys, melded with coalescent glow.
And just
one short year later, they stood upon the deck
Of the
ship wherein the lovely bride had given Rick such heck.
The USS
Stockdale was launched, stamped with their fabrication.
And took
the happy couple on their honeymoon vacation.
Rick,
I’m so proud of you! You are an outstanding and impressive
young man.
Go far,
and remember…even though you’re grown up now, I’m still
always here if you need me.
Love
you!
Aunt K
