Sindbad The Sailor - Voyage 1 Poem by Shankaran Kutty

My father bequeathed his riches that he
Had earned through his blood and sweat
But my riotous life and wasteful ways
Ensured the wealth was quickly spent

I gradually realized my mistakes
And how my family, I couldn’t fail
And so with some merchants and their goods
On a ship, I quickly set sail

After days and days of wind and gale
We sailed in the open sea
Then we reached upon a little island
Where a few got down to see

Whence all at once the island shook
And swallowed by the deep blue sea
I grabbed a log and cried out for help
But none heard this wretched’ s plea.

Two days at sea before I could reach
An island so filled with sand
But after two days at sea, glad was I
That finally I had reached some land

Lucky was, I in that island some men
By some chance, I happened to meet
Told them my story; they said my survival
Was by far, an incredible feat!

They took me then to the capital where
Holding his court was the king
It was the day he would buy the riches
Traders from far-off, would bring

The King welcomed me with open arms
“You are a trader, you shall be my guest”
For that island survived on trade alone
And I got the island’s very best

With nothing to do but as King’s guest
Each day, I would attend court
And then to while further time
I would walk down to the port

And so it was to my joy one day
At the shipping port I found
The very same ship by which I came
And now it was homeward bound

I ran across the beach and climbed
The ladder steps in glee
Astounded they were, and some shocked
But happy were they to see me

I quickly gathered all my bales
And set out to meet the King
“Your Majesty, for you, many riches
From far off lands I bring “

The King was happy to buy everything
Hundred thousand sequins he gave
“I give you more, O sailor for
You have proved yourselves to be brave “

Thus did end my voyage one
My mind so filled, yet body sore
But come my friend, be my guest
For the morrow, you will hear stories more