THE DRUNKEN SAILOR
Cyril Tawney

Behold the animated sack
With a mudstained cap stuck flat aback
A creature draped in the garb of Jack
A-swaying in the doorway

Observe the vomit-laden shoes
The legacy of lavish booze
A mixture of assorted stews
Displaying in the doorway

And note the glassy eyes that peer
In vain pursuit of image clear
The whole assembly far and near
Surveying from the doorway

Perceive the fingers, bloodless white
That clutch the varnished woodwork tight
Without their aid their owner might
Be laying in the doorway

But see, with valour born of drink
Security is thrown at stake
As comes, at last, the grave mistake
Of straying from the doorway

Watch now, the big be-gatored four
Are, from his resting place, the floor,
The guardian of our island's shore,
Conveying through the doorway

They'll take him to the cabin plain
With a padlocked door, but all in vain
Next payday he'll appear again
A-swaying in the doorway



Regards
Derek (Sky sailor)