The Captain and the Codfish

Peter Pan? He is nothing but a tale drawn out, a hero of half-truths, drowned in fairy dust, the dullest side of a double-edged sword. Before my time lost its salt, before the boards of this ship were chapped, split with oceans breath, before my features grew distinct with age, a treasure map, carved and creased, I found myself in Neverland, as the first dear friend of Peter Pan. His mind, repressed by the adventures of youth, has forgotten how young I once was. Even wiser pirates such as myself must work to picture a single moment. Its the sea that causes it, as time curls and crashes like waves against toothy rocks, small histories are bound to vanish. Yet, in my steely snare, just one memory remains: When Peter called me James. The roads we drew in play led us to water, and how empty we found it! A voyage was our grandest idea. In agreement we labored, drew up clean sails, lacquered lumber. Christened with a sailors poison, the Jolly Roger in its finest form! We followed the arms and legs of rivers, watching as they became larger bodies, waters unconquered, unkinged. My calloused hand brushed the helm, Peter drew his sword, mortally pressing its edge to my throat. You or me, James, he said, to be a captain or a codfish! With a smug grin he pounced, cleaving the air with great circles, the sharp clanging of metal rang in the mist like bells. My brow so pinched in focus, first wrinkles formed, til at last, my blade struck his side. Peter fell, outdone. Your cockiness has left you bleeding. With my hand held out, his eyes grew bright and bursting like broken stars. With a smile wild and white, he let out a powerful crow: Aye, but I’m a clever doodle-doo! Another crow, he dove at the hand that bested him. A pain, a demon, a hell! Honest blood from my moral flesh. A black pain shook my blackening soul, As I watched a crocodile feast on the gift God had meant for my own purposes. Peter crowed once more. I watched as he flew on, his blood dripping into my ocean, my kingdom! May this Jolly Roger forever tread upon the waves of a crowing cowards blood. I accept the role of villain, the rival of the wondrous, flying boy, but may you never forget who won the sea, and who it is the codfish, be.