A wayward pirate took to sea
To end his life of poverty
He longed for wealth and yearned for fame
But, by day’s end, rage was his name
He spoke of how his life was poor
He saw his path as a closed door
And thus, he hoped to find revenge
Upon an ocean current binge.

He sailed aboard the Jolly Jim
A pirate ship, named after him
Confirming his ways were unjust –
His life fulfilled by lack of trust
He sought his fortune on the sand
Of some lost and deserted land
But he found nothing, just the grains
Of dusty earth, watered by rains.

“Why is it that I am so cruel?
Am I some wretched, bitter fool?”
The buccaneer inquired as he
Continued, once again, at sea
“Am I obsessed with fame and wealth?
Do I think only of myself?”
And then, a sight came into view
To show the pirate’s thoughts were true .

A ship had docked upon the beach
Where treasure seemed far from his reach
Yet, this time, where no life had been
Was a small chest, gold bars within
The pirate stood; his mind aghast
Beneath the crossbars of the mast
That flew above the Jolly Jim –
The ship that had been named for him.

The captain of the other craft
Looked out to sea and then, he laughed
As he peered toward the Jolly Jim
And the pirate whose life was dim
Our wayward bandit sought revenge
Yet, all he reaped was how to cringe
As he watched, frozen, in a stare
While a good man found fame to share.

The moral of this little tale:
Appreciate to all avail
The simple things as best you can
For things may not go as you plan
Enjoy each day as it arrives
Be thankful that you are alive
And if you do this, you will find
Your treasure won’t be far behind.

© 2006 – Jill Eisnaugle’s Poetry Collection