Before the age of aeroplanes
a first-class yacht was built.
Rich tourists sailed to wild domains
ensconced in plush and gilt.
‘The Pearl’s’ twin anchors held her fast
against the Amazon’s tow.
Her single stack and twin raked masts
defied a swift cloud flow.
The Captain owned this splendid yacht
and dined with wealthy guests.
Fine plates graced linen tablecloths
and waiters wore white vests.
The Captain’s friend Lucretius Mud
regaled the guests with tales.
A crewman kept the watch above
unnerved by jungle wails.
The gentlemen and ladies spooned
Chantilly cream meringues,
but thinly clouded moon illumed
an Indian pirate gang.
Then bedlam overtook the boat.
The pirates gained control.
They pointed blades at soft white throats
demanding cash and gold.
They raided cabins for silverplate
and found Lucretius splayed.
He lay across three plywood crates
and cried ‘It’s worthless clay’!
‘I’m just an archaeologist,
my treasure’s broken pots’.
The pirates laughed and bound his wrists.
They hauled the crates up top.
Their nailed lids were levered free
but buried in the straw
were broken pots and figurines;
the pirates spat and swore.
They lit the straw and spread a fire
to stymie a pursuit,
then left ‘The Pearl’ a blazing pyre;
the peril was acute.
Fire sprinted to the bowsprit’s tip
up masts and angled stays.
The Captain roared ‘Abandon ship’
and lifeboats lowered away.
Lucretius braved the burning deck.
The flames advanced in ranks
and insects scurried up his legs
from cracks in smoking planks.
Below, his journals’ white leaves bled
as fire erased his work.
Lucretius fled the burning deck
and speared the Amazon’s murk.
Then Captain Bryce’s able hands
retrieved him from the surge.
They watched ‘The Pearl’ twirl orange fans
and listened to her dirge.
The fire explored the hold at last
and tasted rich black coal.
The water tanks were ripped by blasts
as steam forced gaping holes.
Lucretius watched his crates take flight.
The Captain said ‘My friend,
I’m sorry that this dreadful night
has brought a bitter end’.
‘My boat’s no loss for she’s insured
but your loss is immense.
We’ll bring the thieves before the law
for they have no defence’.
Lucretius answered ‘Never mind,
the tribesmen can’t be blamed,
for rubber barons rob them blind
and so they play their game’.
But then through tears he strangely laughed
and said ‘these Robin Hoods
have taken back their forebears’ crafts
as any fair man would’.
Then Bryce saw that Lucretius held
a single glazed clay shard
and that some hidden urge impelled
his friend to throw it hard.
They watched its freedom arching track
against a red gold screen.
It tumbled to the river black
and journeyed on unseen.
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