Analysis of Mourning for Roger

Roger liked to play guitar,
But he couldn’t play very well,
So he hung around the few of us
Who thought we could help.

Roger liked to laugh
And always had a joke to tell
While making rounds
As the Forward Electrician
Non-nuke
As they like to say in the Navy
When I guy was an engineering type
But deficient by not being selected for the Nuclear Power Program.

Roger liked to play hearts
And we would play
To the wee hours of the morning,
Though morning is just a figment
When you ride a submarine for a living.

Roger never was pretentious
Even though he was first class.
He just lived his life and laughed his laugh
And everyone enjoyed his company.

Roger was on leave one night
Laughing his laugh and enjoying life with his buddies
And subordinates
As they like to say in the Navy
When a guy goes out with those
Who happen to be inferior
In rank.

Roger never saw the headlights
As he crossed the road in Kings Bay, Georgia
Where the boat was docked
For refit
As they like to say in the Navy
When a guy works with his friends
To prepare for frigid war.

Roger died there in the street...

...then the sun came up the next morning,
Though mourning is just a figment
When you ride a submarine for a living.