The Schooner

The Schooner

when through the fog the spectral ship appeared
silent before us on the running tide
torn sails spoke of the stormy seas she’d steered

on deck those ghostly pallid faces peered
as we fell mesmerised and open-eyed
when through the fog the spectral ship appeared

legend said this old schooner should be feared
and though such myths and legends often lied
torn sails spoke of the stormy seas she’d steered

as yellowed and gently swaying lamps neared
our shouts rippled out from the harbour-side
when through the fog the spectral ship appeared

on point the splintered figurehead now reared
her cannon-blasted features gaping wide
torn sails spoke of the stormy seas she’d steered

then rumour spread of how she had careered
through our scattered foes on the running tide
when through the fog the spectral ship appeared
torn sails spoke of the stormy seas she’d steered