The Killick
The killick that he bore upon his arm
was who he was and also what he was
a badge, a rank, a sanctioned state of mind.
The discipline the powers sought to bear
empowered men like him to bully boys
and so rank them according to their tastes,
social whims, or fiscal given favors
as is the life, the mothers sold their sons
The killick that he bore upon his arm
was who he was, for now, but that could change;
for willing boys were hard to press to feed
desires of those who stood upon the bridge.
Should he succeed, then he may make first mate
less able, demoted back to Able.
For ’tis the boys that tug upon the ropes
that Captains need and Killicks train to be.
Copyright © Terry Miller | Year Posted 2025
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