Red Beard

Red Beard laughed at this lad Stumbled on the wrong ship he had Stowing away on a pirate vessel Turned himself in not even a wrestle Stout young lad must be at least ten He wasn’t sure of the trouble he was in To the plank cast him aside! Then the boys knees buckled….he cried Red Beard yanked him up and stared deep Some use of this boy, if I want to keep To the crew or to the sea? Red Beard thought A pupil to over see if well taught “Take him below!” are his orders “Food and water in my quarters” The boy moved quickly at the thought of food Take his mind off of his saddened mood A feast laid before his weary eyes Hot bread and large chicken thighs Warm milk and cool fresh water too was in store He ate and ate till he couldn’t anymore It was eve before the Captain appeared The boy was asleep his mind without fear. Into his arms the boy went Carried to the cot for his rent An orphan too, was this pirate knave Maybe this child he could save Schooling was what first struck his mind A great teacher was hard to find Sailing and piracy was all he knew “I want more for this lad. A start anew.” …..A rapping came to the cabin door Urgent business he had to make sure “What is it?” Bellowed a voice “A British flag and jack a hoist!” A war galleon was on the horizon A battle was on the rising