The Flying Dutchman
The wind through the rigging howled
As we were tossed about
Waves so high you could be buried at sea
To the bottom sunk in a trice
Fools we were to be out here
To think, outrun the weather
Caught we were in the storm of storms
These waves as high as mountains
But on we sailed, now too late
Our only hope was prayer
Myself I lashed to the wheel
To steer us out of trouble
My wife and child before my eyes
Gave reason for this battle
The crew they too had families
For them all I was trying
My eyes sore from all the spray
Was this some sort of imagination
What other ship would be fool enough
On a day like this to out venture
Yet there she was, all fully rigged
Sailing against the weather
It seemed there were no souls aboard
The ship ghostly in appearance
As she drew close to me
I could see the crew aboard her
Twas skeletons dressed in rags
With the Captain giving orders
On passing I could hear the wails
Begging and pleading for mercy
The stench that came from the passing ship
A smell so rotten and putrid
I prayed to all the gods I knew
That we would not be just like her
There are some things worse than death
And one had just passed me
How we managed to survive the night
I have no understanding
Came break of day the weather changed
The rest was fair weather sailing
We entered port and went our way
Not one word of this was told
Survived we had, our luck held
Would break if of this was spoken
And to this day I still recall
As I smoke my pipe by fire
Chills still run up and down my spine
The ghostly ship with the deathly crew
Copyright © Stephen Curtis | Year Posted 2018
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