Mariner’s Tale 
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               Mercenary mariner gone,
Swilling Jamaican rum,
     Drown all earned sins with each cursed barrel. 

               Told set course into sure danger.
Ignore dragons, they’re myths.
     Yet they do fire back, with brutal vengeance.

Thrilled promise of strange sail on distant horizon;
     Clean keel, full sheets, prize in offing,
     Clear skies, load shot, run open ports,
Broadside, knives, blood running slick like sewage…

          Such was my life, before time twisted, marooned me.

Caskets, baubles, priceless doubloons,
     Captain’s choice from fairest wenches,
     Never take wife; quick rape, blade’s thrust…
No women aboard?  Kill them all, burn her.

          Methods have changed, but rulers’ goals remain.

Leave me alone, damn you, death’s my current tack.
          Allow me some honor.
     I wish to bake, roast black, in my own Hell.

I beg no boon, mercy, to commute sentence due.
          Swing from stiff neck, ‘til dead.
     Keep your priest; he’s no use on this voyage.