Come Young Pirates, To Walk The Fabled Shores Of Byzantium (X X V I I I) Poem by Captain Cur

Night again came, I sailed that Viking boat
To Byzantium, the prize I vainly sought.
Oh! the storms they raged; sunny days were few
There is no escaping fate, this I always knew!
In darkened sky each cloud appeared to wait
Until I passed beneath its thunderous gate;
I stood as stone, then argued with my fear
As lightning struck and booming's shocked my ear,
Perhaps some lesser god saw I trembled not
Pitying the lowly station of my lot
And that god's fair form was drawn on high!
I wept beneath its visage in the sky!
When the waves expired, I turned and slept
And prayed to unknown gods that came and went,
But though this blackest night was filled with dread
I awoke and the ocean fed me with its bread.
Sun climbing, hanging at a lofty height
Steeling myself to weather coming night.

A day of beauty! this I rightly tell
With salt charged air my lungs began to swell,
Soft waves churning with redundant flair
Devoted to the whims of fevered air.
A sea's loveliness, not one breath denies,
Swallowing whole the blue sapphiric sky,
Morning clouds forming on their hilly crest
In tailored ease commingling with the rest;
Vaporous isles liquid treasure hold
locked fast in keeps, nor unwisely sold,
Generously released, dropped from the gray
Splitting open wide in a massive fray.
The privileged sun supplicating shines
In single worship unconcerned with time
And lights the satin sea, adorned in crystal gems
Floating on the waves laced with diadems.

But prideful thought a seasoned heart subdues
Sailing on a bark carved from hardened wood;
Surmounting pleasure, to be here, alive!
Joyous tears flushing pain from longing eyes.
The ocean kissed me with her husky dew
In a marriage of triumph as the salt spray flew,
In wedded bliss between the sea and I
Repeating simple vows till both of us shall die.

When love arrives and all pretensions leave
False flags that ruled, but tatters in the breeze;
Hours are few and days are numbered short
Seas magistrate from waters of their court,
Though their council and verdict may seem strange
One will live a freer life if one can stand the pain,
Channeling judgment as their currents flow
Character build leveraging every blow!
I thank my birthing stars, their influences blend
Invigorating me, the life I led,
Snatched from the pillared hands of senseless icy waves
Dragging countless bodies to unmarked open graves.

With these thoughts I fell in the graciousness of sleep
With untroubled mind in a golden land of peace.
I will sail till all worldly battles have been won
And walk along the fabled shores of Byzantium.