The Pirate Charlatan, a trick or treat tale

“The Pirate Charlatan”,
   a trick or treat tale

Sneaked aboard a pirate ship,
a charlatan sailed a stormy sea
Cutlass fastened to his hip,
striped breeches donned from waist to knee

Gold hoop dangled from an ear,
a black patch sat upon one eye
Loyal parrot ever near,
helped him pass long sea hours by

He stowed himself in bilge of stink,
while mateys plundered silver and gold
Tasty grog all day he’d drink,
that kept him warm from damp and cold

There he languored without harm,
but missed by pillagers up on deck
Soon discovered with alarm,
they grabbed him by his hairy neck

Cast into the dreaded brig,
he waited for the morning’s lashing
Thinking over what he did,
he shook about the gory gashing

Morning came and then it went,
hushed quiet lurked from up on high
In silence, many hours spent-
what next occurred he knew not why:

As the ship moored close to land,
fair lady pirates paid him visit
They gently took his trembling hands,
and led him out in jovial spirit

Good fortune though he thought he’d found,
hoodwinked was he by their devious prank
Gagged, and tight his hands they bound,
and walked him off the perilous plank!

Before he died, late lesson learned:
charlatans hide in sly disguise-
He his own true self he spurned,
dooming him to his drowned demise