Flying Dutchman Poem by Colin Ian Jeffery

(In winter 641, merchant ship ‘Dutchman' sailed into legend becoming a notorious ghost ship sailing until doomsday)

Sailing back to Europe
Dutch captain Hendrick Van der Decken
Reached Cape of Good Hope
As savage storm blew-up
Howling, raging, battering the ship.

Terrified crew pleaded, fearing death
For the ship to turn back seeking harbour
But the captain refused, obstinate
Declaring he would sail through the storm
Treacherous, life threatening.

Thinking him insane
Crew mutinied to take the ship
Captain shot leader of mutineers
Threw body overboard
Saying he would sail around the Cape.

Nothing would stop him
Not even if he sailed to doomsday.
Devil heard his boastful words
So began eternal sailing
Ship manned by lost tormented souls.

Sightings made of the ghost ship
Sails set, rigging bathed in orange glow
Coming from swirling mist to vanish
Sailors who see the ghost ship
Know, the sighting means death for them.