A Sailing Carol – Or a Visit from St. Puffy

by Captain Puffy Pants

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the boat,

not a sailor was stirring not even a goat.

The foulies were hung in the wet locker with care,

In the hopes that sleep soon would be there.

.

The sailors were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of spiced rum danced in their heads.

And the skipper in her watch cap, and I in mine too,

Had just settled our brains for a long anchor’s snooze.

.

When out on the water there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the berth to see what was the matter.

Away to the portlight I flew like a flash,

Tore open the blinds and threw up the hatch.

.

The lightning on the breast of the now raging sea

gave a feeling of impending doom to me.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a spot light shinning on us from a near.

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With the little skipper, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment we would need to think quick.

More rapid than eagles we flew about,

And we ran and screamed and began to shout.

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“Now Dang it! Now, Darn it! Now, Curses and all!

Come on! What the blazes! On with it! Gall.

To the top of the deck! To the top we did go,

Now dash it all! Dash it! Dash it all now.

.

As the sea weed before the wild squalls fly,

When they meet with a sailboat, mount to the sky.

So back to the bridge deck we flew,

With visions of anchors dragging too.

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And then, in a flash, I heard a kaboom

The lightning had struck and the rain came down soon.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

I saw the wind coming and returned with a bound.

.

I was back in my foulies from my head to my foot,

And was covered with rain and mud that looked like soot.

A bundle of lines I had flung on my back.

And looked like a peddler, just opening my pack.

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My eyes-how they twinkled! My dimples how scary!

My cheeks were like roses, my nose like a cherry!

My demeanor had changed,

I now looked deranged.

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The stump of a pipe held tight in my teeth,

And the smoke it encircled my head like a wreath.

I had on a grim face and a look in my eye,

And I shook when I thought we’re all gonna die.

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I was frightened for sure, and was not a jolly old elf,

And now I can laugh when I look back at myself.

But at the time it sure wasn’t funny,

And I wished for days that were sunny.

.

We spoke not a word, but went straight to our work,

And checked all our rigging, then gave the anchor a jerk.

And laying a finger aside of my nose,

And giving a nod, down to the saloon we did goes!

.

We flopped to our berths, and with a sigh for a whistle,

And away our cares flew like the down of a thistle.

But all heard us exclaim, ‘ere we drove out our fright,

“Happy Sailing to all, and to all a good-night!”

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

From

Honey Bunny, and

Capt. Puffy Pants