The Age of Sail

by John Rocco

I’m a stowaway

on the bad ship NEVERMORE

her sails black with blood

her decks awash in whale cum

the Red Clock of Death

a doomed heartbeat below.

Our Captain, my Captain

is the Mad One

branded to kill

the cold fish world

the oceans endless

hot Siren crack pipes whispering

always whispering to him.

I hide in the stinking hold

entombed with rotting meat

and casks of grog.

I tap into both

and when I walk the

decks at night

past the humping shadows

the cursed meat

and the blazing booze

rush through me

pissing blood and guts

over the side.

This is bait

of course

for the aqua chicks

the Sirens, the Mermaids

the stacked sea Princesses

all tails and big tits.

This is bait to attract them

call to them

so I can sing my song

to them for a change.

I sing to them

each to each

as the Allman Brothers say

to eat a sea peach.

I sing of cemetery screwing

and churchyard orgies.

I sing of cannibal pages

and oxygen words.

I sing of the Harbour Inn

and the powerful Polish kiss.

I sing of sweet revenge

and always going too far.

I sing of eating

her whale’s tail

morning noon night.

I sing this mating call

of love to scales and tails

and to their land-loving doubles

you know who you are.