A New World (long)

~1a~

My breathing’s coming hard, as the darkness takes me in.
I’m trying to clear my head, where did it all begin?
My memory’s not co-operating, the pain is so intense.
I don’t know where I’m going, this place just makes no sense.
How did I get captured? I thought that I was fast.
I do accept my destiny, fate’s die has just been cast.
Stranger’s ships have landed, on the shores of our great home.
We haven’t seen anything like them, we thought we were alone.
Their skin is so bright and pale, like the belly of a fish.
Are they Gods or just men, should we serve them as a dish?
Our Chiefs have made arrangements, with these strangers of pale skin.
They’re selling off our women, killing off our men.
But I will not stand for it, so I crush a big white skull.
I steal a sword to prove a point, this edge will never dull.
A woman screams as I kill, she stares in disbelief.
My blood is boiling in my veins, my soul it feels relief.
Then I feel a crushing blow, it knocks me to the ground.
Everything is spinning wildly, I can’t hear a sound.
I see a brother’s face, as I feel my skull go “CRACK!”
I’ve been taken into slavery, because my skin is black.

~1b~

I wake up puking up my guts, smelling meat as it rots.
The last thing I remember, I was fighting a bloody Scots.
He’s very short in stature, but mean as any snake.
I’m going to have to kill this man, that’s what it’s going to take.
But he takes all I can give him, then comes back for more.
He hits me right between the eyes, now I’m laid out on the floor.
They tell me I’ve been sold, to a Captain of a ship.
Shanghaied they call it, free labor for his trip.
Chained up in a corner, I just try to sleep.
My chain is jerked on violently, to my feet I leap.
“The Cap’n wants to see ya.” Were the words from this foul cur.
I’ve got to plan out my escape, then make it all occur.
As I walk on through the men, I spot a man way in the back.
I can hardly make him out, I’d swear his flesh is black.
I can feel his eyes upon me, as I try to walk on through.
My lungs are craving fresh air, from the odors of this mixed crew.
As I climb on up the stairs, to meet the Captain there.
I take another look at him, that black man meets my stare.
As I’m greeted by the sunlight, I’m blinded and can’t see.
The evil smile the Captain has, making his plans for me

~2a~

What makes that man so special? Is it just because he’s white?
He looks so frail and helpless, I wonder how he fights?
He’s scared and he’s confused, I can tell by his stride.
He’s not use to these conditions, I can tell that he has pride.
So, as our eyes meet, I see wonder, I see awe.
I search deep, inside this man, I can not find a flaw.
I will keep an eye on him, he’s a smart one I can tell.
I think he can weave his words, like a Shaman casts a spell.
I will stay close to him, I can always use a friend.
My escape will have to happen, if my slavery is to end.

~2b~

The Captain is flamboyant, he’s also full of wit.
But I can see right through him, he’s also full of spit.
He’s lying, as he’s boasting, telling me all of his tales.
I act like I’m impressed, to end my time in jail.
So now I weave a tale or two, tell him lies of my own.
I create a new identity, until that cover’s blown.
I do know how to use a sword, my service I can sell.
To get these chains off of my hands, then send his soul to hell.
A prisoner, or a passenger, but there are no free rides.
You have to earn your keep or die, I let that comment slide.

~3a~

I gaze upon this motley crew, not one brain cell between them.
They act like sheep to slaughter, not strong and mighty seamen.
Morale is low and I can tell, the Captain is a bad one.
I see scars on the oarsmen’s backs, the first mate is a mad one.
This ship’s not clean it needs repair, this crew here is just lazy.
I wonder where that blonde man is? The look he had was crazy!
The drum has stopped, a gong has rung, now the shift is changing.
The men are milling all about, the chains they’re re-arranging.
So now I’m guided to a bench, it’s now my turn to row.
I have no way to protest this, I’ve no where else to go.

~3b~

As the Captain and I tell stories, the first mate sends a glare.
I have seen this look before, I know I must beware.
The Captain just removes my chains, now my hands are free.
But as I’m rubbing life to them, the first mate jumps at me.
I dodge a blade that swishes close, I strike out at his ear.
He drops his sword, falls face first, now my way is clear.
I grab his sword with my right hand, swipe out with closed eyes.
I hear a swoosh, then a thump, then to my surprise.
The Captain is beheaded, his crew lets out a cheer!
They all slap me on the back, then offer me his gear!

~4a~

What’s with all that racket? Up top it sounds like cheers.
The oarsmen have stopped rowing, I guess it is severe.
A man falls down the stairs, he looks like he is drunk.
He starts to take away the chains, drags it off in one big chunk.
There is a brand new captain, the old one has been killed.
But instead of an angry mob, this crew of his is thrilled.
They say he moves like lightning, beheaded him in one move.
They gave him the Captain’s slot, I guess that they approve.
I go up top to see this, I see their words are true.
We are all free men now, to pay our captains’ due.

~4b~

The crew grabs the First mate, then throws him over board.
Now they call me Captain, I get free room and board.
The first thing that I do, is free up all the slaves.
I’ll rotate shifts down at the oars, then see what time it saves.
Now I must have a First mate, a man that I can trust.
Hey, there’s that black man now, all covered in a sweaty crust.
I assign him as my First mate, award him with his gear.
I trust that he’ll be faithful, by his acceptance it is clear.
Now things must be in order, get the men to clean this ship.
They all do it right away, none here give me lip.


~5a~

He seems like a kind man, dealing with everyone fair.
But I’ll have to watch his back now, as some men just don’t care.
Everything seems to be ok, but for now the men are busy.
Blondie seems like the perfect boss, but some men wonder, “is he?”
We’ve been anchored for awhile now, cleaning, painting, mending sail.
The crew now look like sailors, not inmates in a jail.
Soon I think that we’ll set sail, there’s not much left to do.
Does Blondie know how to sail? I haven’t got a clue.
But now out of necessity, this white man is my friend.
We do not belong here, and we’re stuck until it ends.

~5b~

I see the Black man understands, here we don’t fit in.
And when I see an opening, we’ll get away again.
But now we have an option, an outlet we can use.
This Captain’s role I’m forced to play, is nothing but a ruse.
I’ve kept this crew so busy, They don’t have time to think.
They’re so tired, they go straight to bed, no time for song and drink.
But, soon we’ll pull up anchor, we’re close to setting sail.
This ship is made for battle, not the kind for fishing whale.
Well now the time has come, I hear the anchor being set.
The lead sail now is full, and the deck is getting wet.

~6a~

We’ve been at sea for quite awhile, but now we head to shore.
We have to get supplies real soon, food, water, ale and more.
Another ship has come in view, approaching very fast.
I hear a loud explosion, then we lose our mast.
The crew they man our big guns, I think they are too late.
Pirates are taking over, I can see their hate.
Blondie shows up shouting, tells me to ready boats.
Things are not going good, these Pirates are cut throats.
This crew is not trained, to take on men of war.
We get into the life boats, we don’t have to go far.

~6b~

I got the crew to abandon ship, those who fought had died.
I really couldn’t save them all, no matter how I tried.
The Blackman got into a boat, but waited there for me.
The other men got into boats, speed here is the key.
But now the Pirates use our guns, they’re shooting at our boats.
Boats are now exploding, and bodies are afloat.
Now this is the last boat, we paddle with the flow.
Where in the world are we? I really just don’t know.
I hear a massive explosion, and I’m thrown up in the air.
I lose consciousness while floating, now I don’t have a care.

~7a~

Blondie is safe and sound, floating on a plank.
By morning we land on the beach, the night was cold and dank.
I get my things together, to try and make a fire.
I go out to get some food, I’ll see what’s to acquire.

~7b~

I wake up to the smell of smoke, and I wipe off the sand.
I get up way to quick, then I can barely stand.
Although dizzy I go on, a shelter’s what we need.
The Blackman went out to hunt, so with this I’ll proceed.

~7c~

As I’m looking for tracks of game, I swear I see a man.
His hair is long and black, his skin is dark and tan.
He disappears into the woods, and I see a big fat deer.
I sneak up on this creature, so I can use my spear.

~7d~

As I make our shelter in the trees, I see a man who’s from this land.
He is accompanied by others, whose regalia is quite grand.
We must be in the new world, our old lives will now end.
New things will come our way, as new lives do begin.

by Sgt B (Viewed 144 times)