Tobacco, Rum and Brandy

THIS POEM IS NOT PRESENTED AS I INTENDED (ie. DOUBLE SPACED).

THIS HAS BEEN DONE BY PERSONS BEYOND MY CONTROL

THUS DIMINISHING THE READING EXPERIENCE.

🙈

Waves pound wild 'gainst coastal rocks

The night is black as coal;

Covert, away from mooring docks

Ten smugglers give their all.

The moon illuminates the sky

It highlights men and boats;

Oilskins donned to keep them dry

As sea-surf salts their coats.

A lookout stationed on the cliff

To sound the signal when,

He notes a troop patrolling  -  If ...

He spies the excise men.

Below him are his hearty mates,

Each adept and handy,

Unloading scores of casks and crates...

Tobacco, rum and brandy.

Secreted well in ghostly caves

They store their pirate booty;

Thwarted, by the crashing waves,

The taxmen halt their duty.

As daylight breaks upon the beach,

The veil of darkness shed;

The ten are safely beyond reach,

At rest, at home, in bed.

                                ASJ