Into A Pirate's Tomorrow
by Michael Doyle

It's a rough pirate's world out there
When words spoken spill into loose fear
Mobs, it seems, are as easily turned
As pirate shanty towns are easily burned

Just as melancholy on the azure waves
Are the boarding plans that lead to graves
Someone once winced at the best plans made
Isn't it funny how the best plans fade

So it is with life's best improvisation
As we zig and zag to our consternation
By most accounts, treasure is a pirate's desire
Even when their pistols refuse to fire

If it might be allowed for me to tattle
Every virgin pirate has their first turn at battle
So it goes as true as it is for every pirate's lot
The first thrust into this life is not soon forgot

A half-broken pirate sits and quietly wonders
Thinking back on his history and many plunders
Even in this ragtag world hate does no good
It's best in every pirate's heart this is understood

This then is the allure of a pirate king's power
That weak or strong in any eventful timeless hour
There is the truest power that is ever hold
When a pirate can sit calmly and quietly bold

Assured that their power is the kind to hold sway
Regardless of the marked cards put into play
A pirate's pirate  knows his destiny and lot
And is untroubled that his role will be forgot

Put to this challenge, it's time we found out
What the truth of pirating is really about
Ship-to-ship faced in battle head-to-head
We'll fight to win and win or end up dead

A captain hopes he knows what he is doing
As he leads his ship into battle as he's crewing
Those who fight under his flag and lead
He wishes each to live and tell of these deeds

Cannon shot and bullets fill the ocean air
As a ship prepares to repeal boarders with dare
The ships come about to fight this perilous fight
Both captains hope to win; only one will be right

A kiss of danger and faith in one's unholy sword
The bravest pirates push to move ever forward
Pistols and cutlasses are brandished in this fray
While quaking hearts put their last fears away

A pirate's blood is spilled onto the ship's deck
While even more pirates are instantly wrecked
But the pirate who feared most yet lives
Grateful to the God who redeems and forgives

Petty animosities are put aside for common good
As a consortium rises from pirate brotherhood
Power ceded to a gaggle of perfect strangers
Is one seeded with life's worst dangers

The guilt of decisions made naturally fadeaway
As every pirate knows who has faced a new day
The path that walks a crew into their tomorrow
Is the path to rejoice and conquers sorrow

(c) June 25, 2024   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved