Pirates, after all, were usually Such young men! At yard-arms or docks they hanged them, Or on beaches now and then. So between the prayers of parsons At the gallows-tree In their ears came softly lisping The whisper of the sea, Their own sea of sails and fighting, Of storm and wound, Scattered with uncharted beaches For the men that they marooned; Spanish towns with plate and treasure; Jungle; fever; heat; And the clicking of the glasses In some safe retreat. In that school a man grew crafty, Limber in his hates. Their white scars were often left them By their bosom mates. What extraordinary stories That no one now can know Died upon those wind-blown gallows At twenty-one or so! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NOT OUR GOOD LUCK by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE ARCHITECT (2) by KAREN SWENSON THE RED TURTLENECK by KAREN SWENSON THE ANGLER'S SONG by WILLIAM BASSE CAVALIER TUNES: GIVE A ROUSE THEN FOR THE CLINIC by ROBERT BROWNING IN HOSPITAL: 3. INTERIOR by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY WHEN THE KYE CAME HOME by JAMES HOGG |