A SAILOR TELLS A TALE

Aged by sunlight, seas, and wind,

was the face of the sailor who lay

dying at an inn

whispers of stolen kisses from fair

maidens far and near, his breath

scented of rum as his fate to all

was clear, standing at his bedside

with silent greed they wait to hear

The story he would tell of a place 

where he once sailed, a city of old

that the jungle swallowed whole

where towering elephants made of

jade and ivory stood proud and bold

there a palace laden with precious 

stones, bronze, silver and gold

Trees and vines cover the road he said,

the way is not seen clear, save the map

that i inked many winters ago and to me

person i keep it near

where is the map they all cried as he 

coughed and gasped, the innkeeper grabbed

him and shook him fast, you owe me for the 

rum, the room and bed, the map is on me the

sailor replied as he gasped and was dead

They searched his boots, his purse and coat

some tried to remove his clothing but stench  

made them choke

what did we expect from an old sailor the 

innkeeper replied, tall tales for rum, a room 

and bed, a last drink, just the place to die

The innkeeper anger kindled so, his hair edges

appeared as if singed

the sailors clothing is worthless he said, the

stench cannot be cleansed, yet i'll have his boots

on the floor and his coat on the hinge of the door

And now for my revenge, take his body to the woods

with no delay, burn it with fire, for a decent burial

is not deserved, for he deceived us all with a tale too

tall as we all heard his great swelling words

Aged by sunlight, seas and wind, was the face of the

sailor who died at an inn, his body was burned, his ashes

are now cold, forever lost is the map that was inked on

his chest, many winters ago, of a city of old that the jungle

swallowed whole.