In the black of the night
The dark Moon orb in sight
In a hole in the clouds high in the sky
Only a few of the stars outlined the lie
Near about the great lunar globe
Shrieks and growls a'shore tingled my lobe
One star began it's peek round the edge
As the wind howled the waves grew
The boat rocked as prow sliced through
On the rise o'er the bow crashed spray
While the helm 'tween shoals did course lay
From last noon by the light of the day
A chase for our plunder a game of play
Jolly Roger had waved from the mast aft
Bloodthirsty pirates, with a deadly fast craft
Our hearts beat 'gainst our chests fast
And since our predators had begun the chase
We had sailed for our lives, did still last
Yet slowly they closed upon us in this race
At the set of the Sun we doused all our light
The sea did glow the shadow clouds shone bright
Their fore gun fired at our dark patch on the water
So far we had dodged the sprite bursts' slaughter
The fathoms were called by runner's whispers
Who ran in silence wearing sock slippers
Fifteen fathoms the mate said to me
"The helm to port and into the lee
Spin the wheel quick to a forty-five degree"
Down in the trough they did yet be
Through the glass my evil eye upon them did see
They knew these waters but soon we'd be free
All ye maties ready the starboard artillery
At ten fathoms turn starboard to 35 degrees
"Ready the aft guns and prepare to fire"
They must follow us or run a ground
For this here is a very narrow sound
The swashbucklers neared the turn
And the fathoms depths reached to ten
"Helmsman slowly turn thirty-five to starboard
Aft guns at loft height. They're in sight! Ready. Fire!"
One six pound shot ripped their fire jib
The other sounded like it cracked a rib
Helmsman starboard twenty-five degree
The rear four guns ready to me
They shot from their fore broke the aft rail
The other missed our ship, mast, and sail
"Ready, Four Aft Starboard Fire! Reload All!
Around the end edge of Shrake's Isle, Squall!
"Helmsman Starboard with the wind to our back!"
Their mainsail was down revealed lightning's flash
The mizen mast tottered, there was a loud, CRACK!
"Starboard Battery. Ready at the loft!
Those buccaneers met their match at Crow's Croft
"Fire!"
Burning in the glass, I did espy
And laughed as they reefed but their rudder was dry.
"We'll rake them to nothing
Take their cargo and booty in the morning."
To my crew's cheers glinted my evil eye.
"Carpenter let's get this railing fixed. A share to every mate!"

Evil Eye - The Sea Battle at Shrake's Isle, Crow's Croft # - Poetry

©2024 Jeff Kubitz, @jeff-kubitz, All Rights Reserved.