The Pirate Jacob Grey

     This poem is actually the second poem involving the pirate Jacob Grey, a fictional buccaneer, who roamed the high seas in the early to mid 1700’s. Tomorrow’s post was actually written before this one, about a year and half before, as a matter of fact. But for the sake of posting I think this one will better serve to set up the former.

     I hope you will embrace the adventure,

Jake.

THE PIRATE JACOB GRAY

 His hair was as black

as the heart

in his chest.

His eyes as blue as the steel,

of the sabre there, at the ready,

for another dead man, soon to feel.

♥

 With the “bones and skull”

upon the mast,

bringin’ terror,

to all seven seas.

Treasure rich was that he sought,

and “prizes” for to seize.

♥

 With allegiance to none,

save for himself

and but for a trice,

his crew.

Yet let one dare, offend him then,

and he’d soon, be run a’through.

♥

 Aye, or shot with a ball

through flesh and bone,

and let to bleeding out,

as the pigs.

Then exampled for all, the rest to see,

whence’d hung up in the “rigs”!

♥

 He was the scourge

of Madagascar,

though he called

Port Royal home.

But, bringin’ death and treachery,

no matter where, he roamed.

♥

 Until came the Royal Mandate,

for a bounty to be paid,

and placed at once

upon the pirate’s head.

 With urgement strong, for capture,

for the “Crown” to hang him dead.

♥

‘Twas this the news

that marked the end,

of honor

amongst the thieves.

A Royal sum awaited them,

and for those condemned, reprieves.

♥

Loyalty has

but shortened bounds,

whence’d the sovereign

enters play.

And no loyalty stayed among his crew,

for the pirate, Jacob Grey.

♥

And so with promise

of coins of gold,

the barmaid hired on,

and served the “doctored” drink.

Whilst the schemers sat, in nervous wait,

for in slumber, him to sink.

♥

When he awoke

bound hand and foot,

and in the hold

of his own ship.

Bound off to the gallows,

he sailed the “Hangman’s trip”!

♥

With a fortnight’s sail

from life to death,

his thoughts returned

to hidden wealth.

And he cursed the finders, all their days,

to poor and failing health.

♥

Now, his trial quick

and sentenced sure,

to the hangman,

for a show.

And the judge, in powdered wig,

had gaveled it be so.

♥

But, the sun would not dawn

on the pirate’s last morn,

’twas dark as the heart

in his chest.

And he laughed in great scorn,

knowing his soul would not rest.

♥

He had no words

of regret to share,

and he had

no tears to shed.

“Goddamn you all, to Hell with me,

where we’ll meet again,” he said.

♥♥♥

Jack Downing

Apr. 2012

Copyright© Jack Downing, aka Jake @poemsandponderings.wordpress.com. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or disseminated in any manner without the expressed written consent of the author. JRD 6/5/12