A Woman Known as "Saltydog"

[PrinceMyshkin]

A woman known as “Saltydog”
and a sailor who’d never been to sea
slept together in separate beds
but dreamed of each other
night after night.

[Sweets America]

Nice one, Shou.:) But I don't know what you mean by Saltydog.

[CdnReader]

Love this one, Jer. Thanks! :)

[ampoule]

This one is full of surprises. I like it....

"Let me be your salty dog or I won't be your 'woman' at all, honey let me be your salty dog." A very popular song at the bluegrass jam sessions I attend.

[PrinceMyshkin]

Nice one, Shou.:) But I don't know what you mean by Saltydog.

It's a phrase often used to designate either an experienced sailor or a libidinous man, but it appealed to me just on the basis of its incongruity. And that she has chosen or come to be known by so eccentric a name is, I think, indicative of the oddity or hopeless nature of her relationship.

[PrinceMyshkin]

This one is full of surprises. I like it....

"Let me be your salty dog or I won't be your 'woman' at all, honey let me be your salty dog." A very popular song at the bluegrass jam sessions I attend.

Yes, I have a version of it sung by Dave van Ronk on an album called "Songs for Aging Children." I love that whole album, specially:



Last Call

And so we've had another night
Of poetry and poses
And each man knows he'll be alone
When the sacred gin mill closes.

And so we'll drink the final glass
Each to his joy or sorrow
And hope the numbing drunk will last
'Til opening tomorrow.

And when we stumble back again
Like paralytic dancers
Each knows the questions he will ask
And each man knows the answers.

And so we'll drink the final drink
That cuts the brain in sections
Where answers never signify
And there aren't any questions.

Ah, she broke my heart the other day
It'll mend again tomorrow
If I'd been drunk when I was born
I'd be ignorant of sorrow.

And so we'll drink the final toast
That never can be spoken:
Here's to the heart that's wise enough
To know when it’s better off broken!

[amanda_isabel]

I liked the poem especially after I read about Saltydog :), and the fact that I don't really know the term (up until, oh, say, 30 seconds ago) drew me to it even more.