Lost At Sea

The ship was atoss on the ungallant sea The swells took a toll as the hull strained and cracked It would be fair time afore it sought the lee With the slams and the pitching the ship could be wracked. The foc'sle went down, the stern rose on high And in the next instant the ship yawed aside The water rushed in torrents, the Bo'sun heaved a sigh If the hatches gave way, then woe betide. The men on the watch were tied to their posts The lookouts puked blood, the buckets were filled They stood out limned as outworldly ghosts Clamping teeth with their might, their bones fully chilled. The wind was a-roaring, it blew off the 'rafts The riggings danced the stays started steaming The boats in the davits went banging abaft The klaxons went wild as they started their screaming. "Abandon ship" blared the hailer as the Cap stood on the bridge And soon was heard a sound that all hoped never to hear A tearing, a snap, a boom, for gone was the ridge Of the keel gave up it's struggle unable to bear. The Cap stood his post as his men jumped overboard Wrote in his log in indelible ink Today I commend these lost souls unto thee my Lord At this lat and this long did my doughty ship sink. Thus ends my tale of those souls lost at sea Not uncommon to those whose sea-legs are firm For a tough life's their lot unlike the land lubbery I've denied Davy Jone's Locker, I have served my full term. ~04 Jun 2016~