"The Last Sunlight"

by David Townsend (Apr. 4, 2004)

Must we really go Captain,
As we play amongst the waves?
We've been given our last rights,
Let us savor the last of the suns rays.

We've had our body flag draped,
As we slid down over the side.
We've seen our ship mates face shapes,
As we said our last good byes.

We've only this last instant,
To remain in the world above.
No more to witness the constant,
Cooing of the morning dove.

Let us play for a while,
On the surface of this watery realm.
It was only as a child,
I would pretend to steer the ships helm.

I see you've prepared my escort,
As the porpoises come by.
They'll take me down to Neptune's court,
No more tears for you and I.

I'm not ready to go Captain,
As I feel myself start down.
Huggan's saw to it I had no pain,
Say goodbye to my family in London town.

You've your voyage ahead of you,
Though I know not what waits for me.
The Bounty sails to Tahiti true,
What awaits for all to see?

As I begin my passage below,
In company of our porpoise friends.
The Bounty puts on quite a show,
As she gets underway again.

I'll miss my shipmates from the world above,
As I make new ones below this day.
No more will I be pushed or shoved,
In duties otherwise that do not pay.

As I report to the court of King Neptune,
An 'able body' I am.
Permission granted all to soon,
To await judgement of actions from Him.

James Valentine - AB

(Valentine was a Bounty crewman who died on the voyage prior to the mutiny.)