A bit of a digression but it helps set the stage.


Part II The Laird Jake...Calico Joe

My name is Joe but Calico
is how I'm called by those who know
of how I got this patterned face
A few years back off St. Ignace

Seems that I'm a wee bit queer
I'm been left of hand for all my years
But what makes me odd and took its toll
I'm left of eye too bless my soul

I always shoot from port by chance
Most others use a starboard stance
I have a flint lock fowling piece
Made just for me if you please

The powder pan is left not right
To keep the flash from out my sight
One night aboard the good Laird Jake
A rowdy crowd tried to take

My cargo away against my will
And Jake as well to pay a bill
Now Jim and I both like to be
Armed and ready when at sea

These gentlemen made a pretty show
Till I fired rock salt nice and low
But bad luck I had picked Jim's fowling Piece
so the flash caught me full on my right cheek

When all was done Jim smiled a tad
Said my face was pretty patriot hue
All mottled right red white and blue
Like a Calico dress his mother wore
So the moniker stuck but I'm not sore

As master of the good Laird Jake
I'm Calico for fortune's sake




Poetry by josephus The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 569 times
Written on 2019-03-12 at 00:28

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Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
A most entertaining installment.
2019-03-12