Ancient mist old as time swept over the churning waves,

Fog hugged the landscape, dampness the eerie night’s slave.

Time stood still, there was no past, unforeseen future, only the minute,

Over and over again, she danced upon the deck, a play with only her in it.

At one-time beauty had held her features, such a bright smile,

Could capture the most hardened heart, and dazzle for a while.

Hair the color of sun drenched wheat, the length passed her knees,

And now, her ghostly apparition glided upon the breeze.

“Dance me a jig, Lady Mary, Dance for me all the night long,”

For to stop this dance, your lover will sing his final song.”

And she danced and she danced, her lover she would save,

But more’s the pity, they still threw him in a watery grave.

Captured thus, pirate ship bound for glory a small prize upon the way,

Was death to look upon him, a bone’s chill his name to say.

An eye of red, hair the color of a raven’s wings, and a lengthy scar upon his cheek,

Death’s treasure, night of pleasure, evil deeds did he seek.

“Dance me a jig Lady Mary, Dance for me all the night long,"

Aye and she could not dance anymore and her lover sang his final song.

Oh what a scream tore from her throat, the anguish, and the pain,

Tormenting anger, rage, an emotional feast in her brain.

And a sword in hand not aware of its existence till this time,

Slashed and stabbed, first one, then two, killing the filthy slime,

Aye but the captain, red eye glowing as a raging fire held his course,

But his feeling was laughter, joy, the evil one held no remorse.

“Forever and ever in the stormy sea a watery grave your domain,”

“A curse be upon you no rest will you get and the sharks eat your brains”.

But she, ah yes the Lady Mary, gypsy blood thrived in her veins lived in her soul,

A jagged edge knife, he ripped her face, and the blood poured out of control.

The sharpest of waves, the boat flew mid -air and the captain found his watery grave,

Sharks surrounded, over and forever they ate his brains, never to be saved.

“Dance me a jig Lady Mary, dance for me all the night long,

And forever, and forever, never to stop for she could not hear her lover’s song.

© Cynthia Clark