Pirate Poem

Parakeet Pete

Often as the ship would sway

due to high winds off the  Chesapeake Bay

Pete would  disapear did seem

that he would hide aft of the beam

Tough as leather, a sailors tale

he was swallowed once by a killer whale

and he oft ate plank when rations were low

when he got a hang nail, he clipped his whole toe

So why is he no where to be found

when the going is tough he is no where around

and so  I hid in the Quarterdeck row

just to find out where exactly he'd go

and just exactly what he'd do

and I can't keep a secret so I'm gonna tell you

Long about four we were hoisting the jib

I heard that our Pete told a little white fib

he told the first mate he was feeling right frail

then excusing himself walked to the genoa sail

and hiding I watched in my stillness a hush

as Parakeet Pete took his paint and his brush

and rendered the sky and the mast

with such skill

I thought what a shame that he had to fake ill.

And it is no secret what secrets we keep

when as artists we worry so we don't say a peep

that in being a "maker" a "drawer" a "poet"

we love it but hate to let anyone know it.

And I thought of the secrets that other's have hid

I assumed so much worse that Parakeet did.

But it's easier roughing the highest of seas

than being creative with a public to please.