John George Brown, American
“…But Luckily, the Captain Had a Spare Pair of Pants My Size. Anyway, Long Story Short, That’s How It Became Known As the ‘Poop’ Deck,” 1883
Oil on canvas
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/// With “The Captain” young Jim liked to loiter,
to hear tales of a pirate exploiter.
The boy itched when he neared
the drunk’s full white neck beard,
(which was grown out to cover a goiter).
/// The toy boat Jim had built never sailed.
It was primitive; Jim saw it paled
next to what’s in “Cap’s” grip:
a detailed model ship.
With old sea chanteys, Jim was regaled.
/// Young Jim Hawkins, the innkeeper’s son,
was intrigued by tall tales the drunk spun.
Billy Bones was his name.
To the Benbow he came,
for from pirates he was on the run.
/// Billy warns Jim to watch, if he can,
for “a one-legged seafaring man.”
Black Dog sees and comes towards
Bones; the men fight with swords.
Though Bill wins, a stroke foils his big plan.
/// In a few days, a blind beggar, Pew,
gives “the black spot” to Billy Bones, who,
has a second stroke, dies,
but to Hawkins supplies
the map which, to a Treasure, is clue.
/// The wild whoppers that Grandfather weaves
show how shamelessly slick he deceives.
He narrates tall tales
about lassoing whales,
and young Dougie, (the dummy), believes.
> or <
/// Grandpa told of the thrill and the joy
of his voyage to tropic Saint Croix,
where the girls of shore leave
were, (he came to believe),
better “dates” than the pale cabin boy.