Fire in the Sails

I mapped your coastline with a compass

Marking the point of no return

With a pencil line upon the map

Only monsters lie beyond.

Your shores were fraught with danger

Hidden reefs to tear my hull

Shifting sands to ground me

And waves to turn me under.

But promises of treasure

Filled my nightly dreams

Driving my desires

Until I found myself at sea

With only one direction

Left for me to take.

I took the voyage aware

Of the calamities awaiting

Paid heed to the tales

Of shipwrecked sailors

Left to drift in your still waters,

Each was mad with thirst

Still driven by their hunger

For when they heard your name

They howled and cried asunder

Dropping to their knees

They swore they were your servants

And offered up their hearts

As devoted tokens given freely.

If there was a price to pay

To set foot upon your land

Then I would pay it willingly

For I had travelled far

Across the stormy sea

With only one intent

To take your hand

And leave my ship behind

Listing on the sands.