Treasured Melody

[Blackbead]

For my beloved wife and the captain of the Adventure . . .

Climbing out on the quarterdeck,
I'd spent the night tallying gold.
We'd taken a brig off Maracaibo
And her treasure now decorates our hold.

The sun's just topping the horizon,
The color of burnished copper in the air,
In my mind, I immediately see your visage,
'Cause the whole sky is the color of your hair.

Last night, I logged pearls set among rubies
And jade nuggets of various size,
But your smile makes the pearls look washed out
And the jade cannot compare with your eyes.

We'd taken nutmeg and pepper and sugar
But your love is all the spice I'll ever need.
We captured silks that I can't wait to strip off you,
So I order on more canvas for more speed.

The ship leaps forward like a dolphin;
I know I need to get back below.
Counting gold now just seems like drudgery
But I still have a long way to go.

In the distance, I can make out our headland.
If not the inventory, the journey is almost through;
And I smile because there can be no greater treasure
Than another day living and loving with you.

         Stephen Sanders
         ©2009

[Rani Zemirah]

Lucky woman... and so eloquently admired!  (sigh)  She sounds a treasure, indeed, and has one in you, as well...

Nice work, and a pleasure to read, as always! 

[Blackbead]

{bowing low} I humbly thank thee, m'Lady . . .