The Conquistador

When once we dived on the San Miguel

Off the coast of old Peru,

We little knew that under the swell

Was an Aztec treasure, too.

I scuba’d down, and the vessel lay

Tipped onto its starboard side,

And mostly covered in silt that day

That buried its Spanish pride.

The wreck had never been seen before

So my heart began to pound,

We’d found the ship we’d been looking for

Submerged, and under a mound,

While whisking some of the silt away

My eyes had caught a gleam,

The helmet of a Conquistador

Lay trapped, and under a beam.

But as the silt was dispersed I saw

That the helmet still was full,

For glaring out from beneath its brim

Was a fearsome human skull,

The skeleton was intact, and lay

Still trapped, where once he fell,

His legs were caught in a cannon bay

Of the fated San Miguel.

I had no time for the niceties

That I should have shown to him,

But seized the helmet from off his head

And I left him, looking grim,

I took it up to the surface as

The first of our spoils that day,

And told the crew that I claimed it,

It was mine, so come what may!

The treasure trove was incredible

Of jewels and gold moidores,

I didn’t think that my helmet would

Be missed, once taken ashore,

But in my mind was a picture that

I’d seen on the ocean bed,

Of that struggling, drowned Conquistador

And that helmet on his head.

I sat that helmet in pride of place

As a conversation piece,

Tricked it up with a piece of lace

Thanks to a helpful niece,

But then the sounds had begun at night

The clashing of steel on steel,

And shadows, moving in passageways

From something that wasn’t real.

One night, the door with a mighty crash

Fell into the passageway,

I must have been feeling more than rash

To venture toward the fray,

For standing there in the open door

Was a skeleton, with a sword,

Who slipped the helmet onto its head

Not saying a single word.

I watched it wade back into the sea

This pile of ancient bones,

And think I know where it’s sure to be

Back where it lay, alone,

It seeks its brother Conquistadors

Where each had perished as well,

Guarding the store of gold moidores

In the hold of the San Miguel.

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Barbz]

Mightedly scribed in its concept we might all agree, but more so yet in in its presentation as I'm sure we have all wondered if stories, a bit less ghostly..(if you can do that DLP) are more frequent than we could ever expect. I, for one, found it fascinating. The Spanish Conquistadors did not take kindly to those stealing their bounty......Beware the wooden leg!! LOL! Barbz

[A Soap Mess Stories]

Love it... well-written...

[Dan Means]

I love this. More please. From subject matter to style I think the world just needs more of this.

[andrew mitchell]

The Spanish are no more! I don't like what the spanish did to the south americans, their colds, their diseases,their dominance. Thank God for Sir Francis Drake and all those who looted them spanish especially Cortez the murderer of all!

[E G TEN]

You make it look so easy Mr.P, "Conquistadors" just love that
Word, Even on the afterlife, a soul will come back for what is
his / hers to begin with. A Cinematic like and very cool. Thanks
the send.

[Rachael Lea]

Oh my goodness, this was an absolutely amazing read. One of the best I have read in a really long time. The flow is fantastic and the story very lovely. You did an amazing job and are truly a gifted writer. Bravo. If I had a bouquet of flowers to throw to you I would. The only line that even somewhat slowed be down was in the beginning, "Submerged, and under a mound" I am so sure it was just flow in which I was reading it because syllable wise it is exactly as it should be. I just kept reading it underground instead, which doesn't even match so I don't know. I wouldn't even tinker with it if I were you. The poem is absolutely perfect! Once again Very well done!

[Celie Rose]

I really enjoyed your poem. As I read, I waited for the twist...and sure enough, I got it. Conquistadors (skeleton) came a calling to reclaim the helmet. No doubt with his sword. I just can't help but imagine what would have happened if you resisted. Your poems are amazing and always leave you thinking. Well written.
Keep writing.

[Valentine]

I was a bit surprised he didn't cut off the guy's head for taking his helmet. Perhaps he just wanted to rest in peace. Valentine

[R Smith]

don't mess with them Spaniards and their gold mate, they sure as hell will come back and get you LOL, excellent story as always David, bravo!

[Breanna Riddle]

Yet again an amazing piece of work. The story you tell with such descriptive lines is amazing. Well done!! Thanks for sharing

[Tate Morgan]

Excellant david As always What a great tale . Told in the way only you can. I can hear the tapping of the soldiers feet throughout this piece just as you use to listen to them in the corp.Merry Christmas My friend.