Airship

Airship How far I’ve flown I neither know nor care. Much as this open deck my plans are bare. Of star or compass I have nary need, But follow as these downy cloud tops lead. The chilly breezes toying through my hair Cascade across my skin and jacket flare While on the bottoms of my booted feet The engine taps an unrelenting beat. I acquiesce to gentle bob and sway Beneath balloon and rigging bloated shape. Awaiting now the nearly risen sun I scan the vast expanse and see no one. And yet, I hear a rumbling of some sort Then luminescing clouds off to my port Combusting deep with ever brighter tones Now booming louder, louder, nearer, NO! Bombastic airship, cannons bursting now, Ejected straight at me from out its shroud. A maniac, that pilot, heaving hard Just missing our collision by one yard His tortured face, the horror in those eyes, For near destroying me, so I surmised, Until I saw his passing stern ablaze. Then mammoth winged beast in brutal chase Erupting, fierce and howling, scales agleam. The hot concussion of its down-spent wing That final moment as it thrust away Forced ship and I and all the world to sway. Then came the screams, the pounding and a moan As crew and cargo floundered down below Caught in the violent swinging disarray. The flaming ship and dragon sped away To disappear in yet another cloud. Our vessel’s motion finally calmed down. Those lightly injured put the ship aright. And unspilled rum was quickly spent that night. Now star and compass were of urgent need. This damaged vessel and the injuries Required that we find a ready port Equipped to lend us aid of every sort. I searched in haste upending fore and aft For sextant, compass, and the proper map, Then finally we found the guiding star And made for help that wasn’t very far. By dawn I bid the floating docks goodbye With only half a crew and resupply But, now where'er I travel through the sky I keep the navigation tools nearby.