torrential rain cascades
on stone paving
crazy wild wetness spilling
over gutters
creating lakes of puddled
opportunity
downpour from
mackintosh grey sky deluge
relentless winter water
brimful mind bursts
its memory banks
i recall a blue plastic
toy chest
a galleon of homemade
happiness
containing a cutlass
and a black eye patch
a small boy afloat
wearing soaked shorts
his knees scraped
messing in the garden
sailing white crested waves
of salty seas
Black Beard has grown
tall with the years
has a son of his own
who awaits play days
with the toy chest
in Nan’s attic