I thought a pirate’s wage would suit That grating greed of mine. I’ve sailed the world from greenest youth, So many decades syne. I’ve lost each treasure chest and trunk, The spoils I had amassed. The crew’s with Jones, the ship is sunk, My fame lies in the past. And now I sit on foreign strands, An island of my own, Absent of my fortunes grand, And of my corsair throne. This desert isle is mine by day, A comfort and a curse. By night this is the siren’s bay, A stage for charming verse. Each eve she rises from the waves Among the stony pools. She sings the songs that oft enslave The hardiest of fools. You shall not tempt me, piscine cur, You songstress of the sea. Oh, how I long to be with her, To answer to her plea. I woke this morn in sodden sand, And soaked by saline swell. It seems the siren took command I sank beneath her spell. Escape was narrow this time, aye. The sunrise saved my soul. I wish I need not cast such die, And wake beyond the shoal. I must depart this lonesome isle, Before I meet my end. I’ll find my wreck with craft and guile, And then a raft I’ll mend. I tie myself to nearby trees When twilight tunes are sung. And every moment ere the eve, The timber boards are strung. In three days’ time, the raft is done Salvation is in sight. I’d take my leave at next day’s sun, I’d suffer one more night. I’m bound again beneath the palm, I pray the night is short. Again, the siren breaks the calm, And starts her sultry court. Her song is sweet and soft this night. And I’ll be free by dawn. Perhaps this once I’ll stop my fight, Enjoy her risqué con. I drop my guard and Lord above, Her voice is boundless grace. She meets my eyes, my one true love, I need her soft embrace. I’m me again. You foolish man! I nearly lost my mind! Just follow your accursed plan, And leave this isle behind! I throw my knife beyond my reach, In case I slip again. I’m staying on this wretched beach, Restrained by hempen chain. The siren serenades me yet, And sweeter grows her song. I must be free, my love’s upset! Oh, how I’ve done her wrong! The knife, damn you. Where has it gone? Just wait my love, stay there. I must be free before the dawn. I’m caught in this damn snare. I can’t undo this blasted bond, Affixed about my wrist. Of this arm, I was never fond; I break it with a twist. I twist some more and pull away. The shoulder starts to rend. The tendons tear and muscles splay, My prison’s at an end. The sand is stained with scarlet shine. At last I’m free, my sweet! I sprint toward the brackish brine, And with my fate I meet.
A Little Bit about the Poem
One October, I asked friends for single words to inspire me to write some Hallowe'en themed stories. Most were comedic, and go against the tone of the other entries compiled here, but this one slipped through the cracks.
When my now-girlfriend gave me 'Siren' as a prompt, I was hesitant. Siren's aren't very Hallowe'eny after all. However, I fancied her, so I wrote it. It's her favourite one I've written, so that worked out.
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