PAD Day 3

Today's dual prompt from Poetic Asides and NaPoWriMo, (1) Write a "tentative" poem, and (2) write a sea shanty (or shantey, or chantey, or however you choose to spell it).  I really had fun with this one, and it somewhat echoes my sentiments and my landlubber tendencies.  So here it be, mateys!

The Tentative Sailor

They slipped me a mickey and I took a sip,

and it’s hey ho, I’m all out to sea,

that’s how I got shanghaied and put on this ship,

this sailor’s life is just not for me.

They said I’d get sea legs as soon as we sail,

and it’s hey ho, I’m all out to sea,

but I am still retching by the starboard-side rail,

this sailor’s life is just not for me.

I’ve been trying for days to tie a good knot,

and it’s hey ho, I’m all out to sea,

but my bowline comes loose and my hitch ain’t worth squat,

this sailor’s life is just not for me.

I eat salt pork and hardtack at morning and night,

and it’s hey ho, I’m all out to sea,

and I pick out the worms before every bite,

this sailor’s life is just not for me.

The last ship we met, we blew a hole in her hull,

and it’s hey ho, I’m all out to sea,

and the flag that we fly has some bones and a skull,

this sailor’s life is just not for me.

My patience is thin and my health is declinin’

and it’s hey ho, I’m all out to sea,

they’ll hang me from the yardarm if I don’t stop whinin’.

this sailor’s life is just not for me.