Checkmate
The metronome heartbeats of a pirate knave, the ticking soft, as his life fades.
He passes from the world as his life is sacrificed,
a victim of the intrigues of this wooden court.
His body unceremoniously dumped over the side,
the crunching of gears the only salute to his passing.
A knife to the throat and the battle is rejoined,
puppet pawns fighting a war for reasons unknown.
A swig of Mothers’ Ruin is all it takes,
to turn man into animal and make an enemy from a friend.
For Queen and country we all strive,
a civil war on the open seas.
Leaving naught but steam in the air and not a body alive.