Aye! Avast! And a bottle of rum!

Jolly Roger

I often wondered when I was younger
About life, and faith, . . . and truth
And whether bathing on the roof
Could change the course of fate
If someone were a little late.
But then I put such thoughts away
As the mere ponderings of yesterday.
Today I think much stranger things
About duty, destiny and wedding rings
And if the rope that raises spangled flag
Is a noose around our necks to drag
Us to salute a modern Jolly Roger
Until we mistrust every potential lodger
And we lock ourselves away.
I oft wonder what it's like to pray
And believe that someone's listening
That my tears and fear aren't glistening
Upon my face near my smile of desperate doubt,
This fatal falling out.
I wonder if deception is itself deceiving
Because if I'm the only one believing
I think I'd much prefer an honest lie.
Our gluttonous appetites increasing
I wonder who it is we're fleecing
And if we've got an alibi.
I wonder if we hoist liberation's banner
Or if those we host in this named manner
Equate liberty with dread
And think us taking liberties instead.