YOUNG ADULT Poem: Siblings on the High Seas, by Captain Tori Kelley

LIZBETH:

He raises his sails
On the sun-drenched seas
Commands all on deck
Like he could ever catch me.

We shall not be overtook!
I call to my crew.
No brother of mine
Can outsail you!

On the shore there be roast meat,
Rack of lamb with mint jelly,
Grapes of the gods.
I drool. Pat my belly.

Onward! He gains!
Put your backs into it, please.
Sea Women, rise up!
No more down on our knees!

No more man-splaining
Or feeling not good enough.
Let’s prove we are better
Made up of strong stuff.

Sea swells in a fist
A salty seaweed spray
I tilt my head back
Let all doubts wash away.

Change tack in a pinch
Bring the sails around
Seize all the good wind.
Brother near runs aground.

My right raises up
Tastes the wind with her tongue

HATTIE:

“Sea Women, Unite!
Let’s work like a drum.

Same heartbeat.

Together we rise!
No bickering, ladies!
Let Lizbeth’s brother capsize!”

LIZBETH:

I bow low to Hattie
My friend in arms
The sea bows, too
None resist her charms.

Delight splits my lips.
The proof of my worth
As we rip through the seas
In command of my berth

I remember asking Father
Put me in charge of a fleet
I am strong and ready
Steady on my feet.

He wrinkled his brow
Ordered me fitted for dresses
Said I had, “needlepoint to attend to
Stay out of men’s messes.”

All the times my father
Bragged to me of his son.
Were he but here
See my battle ‘bout won

“Let’s show Captain Broderick
Who owns these seas,
Sea Women!”

SEA WOMEN

“Here, Here!”

HATTIE:

“Force him down on his knees!”

LIZBETH:

“Just There! Cut his wind.
Capsize him, if you please.
Brother’s last song is sung.

A CREW MEMBER

“Broderick’s fallen, my liege.”

LIZBETH:

“Seafaring goddesses,
You’ve done excellent work!”

HATTIE:

“Aye, mateys, true
We’ve driven Broderick berserk.”

LIZBETH:

“Aye, look at those wimps
Bailing their vessel
Father’s favorite. Hmph!”

HATTIE:

“He’s to me nothing special.”

LIZBETH:

Wrapping arms around
my courageous crew
I rally. Pat backs.
“There be none like you.”

A CREW MEMBER:

“Avast! There’s the shore!”

HATTIE:

And there’s the saloon!

LIZBETH:

“We’ve done it, my friends!
Behold, Brother, my moon!