Charleston’s Retribution

a waxing moon is guardian of this night

mysteries close brashly upon the unwary

whispering huddling blending into the dark

here every night now and before spirits soar

pineapple fountain and palms innocently trace

and witness this sea coast horizon, Charleston

white sail cloth pulls an unsuspecting yawl

nearer the harbor’s egregious beckoning

void of sanctities as history retraces reenacts

in solemn pall events terror holds in esteem

blue haints roam, stalk renew nightly searches

breaths to steal souls to taunt beliefs to shake

this place knows with dismay an era long ago

mercenaries roamed at will looted, plundered

Black Beard and his ilk victimizing moral folk

ale rum looted riches ships to scuttle sought

lured to the streets of pleasure house women

the great equalizer fate held revenge in abeyance

pirates ill and dying in a ship where sea meets rivers

a bargaining chit town folk explored for leverage

medical aide we’ll trade if no longer our harbor

you’ll blockade and our ships unmercifully raid

hand shakes were made and the deal was done

when promises were abandoned men were captured

justice would not be denied as thirty-one were tried

summarily hung at the harbor’s edge, a pirates scourge

for days they were dangled, a stinging message to others

from Charleston’s waters, you’d better stay clear

gathered up and hauled to a sandbar were their remains

tides of the centuries and unforgiving sun bleached bones

‘til they were done, mixing with the harbor tides to roam

their haunts are known for eternally Charleston’s streets

they walk in death’s listless search longing for peace

that through the ages has not come, retribution has won