Far out on the icy seas lived a maid of gold. Every day past the strike of three she to the pier strode. The waves would break across her feet as to the ships she'd sing. Half a dozen choruses for kinsmen and for king.
One afternoon midway through June there came by a sailing. A ship laid low with rope and stoves headed out for whaling. Upon it's bow, tall and proud, stood a carved relief. Flaxen hair, hands clasped in prayer and rubies shined for teeth.
Belle Jezereth she was nomenclated, and each morning given dairy. To keep the wily seas at bay and the coral non-contrary. All evening long for this persona the golden girl would seek. Dreaming her tenor voice could bring the tides of land to sea.
*~~~~~~*
There she is, I see her, out past the portside. Curves of gold inside a mold, pedestal freshly shined. Set alongside the birdsong thrush, hidden by the willow wreathes. A docking place, the sails cessate, the waves lap underneath.
Been thirteen years and half an hour since last I touched these bowers. The Omen round the Horn and Plain, swirling through the Philippine, ta come again ta harbor. The seas, the whales, the fragrant oils a bubbling. Naught compare ta her curling hair, nor the way she's strumming.
We met on a winters night, when the hunter's moon was high. A sultry sapphire radiance suffused all things in sight. Icicles cracked against the heat, when ta the snow she leaped. Dancing then as she sings now ta draw shanties from the cresting seas.
*~~~~~~*
My lady's quite a wandering sort, the kind I used to envy. Better sail the open seas then regaled with same tales endlessly. Ms. Tuppens vixen bore six kittens, a baker's wife escaped downtown. The eastern quay was iced again, the watchtower burned down.
Mayor Lendensnare declared Laissez-faire to acquire cheaper coffee. The farrier snapped hunter's snares for pittance and week-old toffee. Across the court, maids winked at lords while sailors took up mead. In Parliament the congress spent five hours paving streets.
But on the sea there's revelries for all type and occasion. No more to bore these tales of shore, tw'as all I used to say then. But when the breeze brought home to me a salt encrusted oyster. Her lonely shell took wind from sail, and me from my smelt cloister.
For her I pirouetted, for her soliloquized. For her alone I suffered none to lay coins cross my eyes. Her laughter rang as hammers tanged, her bow my face changed. Thus introduced we two produced a promise yet reclaimed.
*~~~~~~*
The blubber burned all evening, splashing perfume twixt the caulking. Wisteria pattered the balustrades, gull feathers lined the walkway. Cabin blazed deep burgundy, sails lavender in dusk. Boltropes, footropes, towrope all were intricately trussed.
Anchor beat arrhythmic tempo, waves melody plied. Inta my arms I pulled her, and through tar our feet glide. Bedecked in holly bracelets, enshrined by tartan robes, my golden girl was sight no holiday could bestow. Round the decks aft and fore I spun her close, til' all aglow amidships flow with hearty feeling throes.
Thrumming boots atop the berth, snatch our moment short. For once I curse the Bosun's need for all hands to report. Aye not this year, I intend cheer, so up to Crow's nest climb. Her whispered words need I to hear as much as she need mine.
"Regardless distance, ignore all clime, gather every rumor. So our hearts twain beat the same, when we meet side the schooners. These words to you I promise true, though our posts we may not leave. Know every breathe shall e'er be spent believing in our dream."
