The Plague Ships

The creaking of plank and of rope
The crack as the wind hits the sail
The crash of waves upon the hull

Stinking bodies in various states of decay
The moans of the dying
The cries and gasps of pain
From those whose organs soon fail

See them come upon the horizon
Their hulls too deep in the water
Billowing sails outlined by the light of the moon
The warning bells ring out

Too late, too late they're coming about
Slanting one way or another
Veering as if run by a skeleton crew
The ships, they enter the harbor

The screams of the damned
Echo across the hills
But why have they come
And brought us all these ills

Pray to your god
Pray for your soul to be saved
Kneel for your salvation
Beg for your lives
Pray for your loved ones
Pray to nothing at all
On deaf ears
Silent prayers fall

The ocean is a harsh mistress
Giving and taking in unequal measure
Yet she cannot compare
Even by smallest fraction
To the massive extent
Of the impending disaster