I was on my way to Zanzibar
when he knocked at my door.
The force of him a magnet
I had never felt before.

A gallant buccaneer with dreams
to conquer seven seas,
his siren’s smile and charm beguiled
like zephyr’s gentle breeze.

Unpacked my bags and traded
ocean waves for love’s sweet song.
As he became my compass,
walked the plank and fell headlong.

He gifted me his pearly whites,
swore ‘til death do us part.
I let him drop his anchor deep.
within my wench’s heart.

Behind his patch the wounds
of life’s betrayals hung like skulls.
His battered mast of untold storms
in dark and evil hulls.

I emptied buckets, tried to bilge
his leaky treasure trove.
Replaced betrayals' scars
with gold doubloons and constant love.

Now rigging set, he’s back at sea
to search for his North Star.
But the winds that fill his vessel’s sails
left my door of dreams ajar.

© 2024 Linda Rittenhouse
1st Place ASPS Jessie Belle Rittenhouse
Memorial Award
First published in Sandcutters