The Sloop John B
The full blooming mimosa,
with its low slung trunks,
becomes the galley of a sea-
fearing duo of imaginists
sailing for Bybee Island
through the rocky storms
of uncertain roles. They agree
that Zoe (6 y.o.) is the captain
and Gramps (73 y.o.), is her son
and first mate. When they land
in the unsettled paradise, she
wants to build an Indian teepee
with bean poles. He follows orders,
but a fearsome pirate attack ensues
and they’re forced back on board.
As they head off into the deep blue,
the dreaded get-ready-to-go alarm rings.
Climbing away, high up in the tree,
at the top of her lungs the captain sings:
Don’t make me go home
Don’t make me go home
I don’t wanna go home
Don’t make me go home
12 thoughts on "The Sloop John B"
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Just when I think you are not Peter Pan, there you go. Lovely and beyond. Zoe is one lucky captain.
Love love love it !!!
Delightful. Bybee Island or Tybee Island? Either way, worth visiting. 😉
Oh, the music! And a perfect title. Thanks for taking us there.
Jim, I always enjoy reading your poetry. This poem included!
Oh gosh this is lovely. As a former mimosa pirate myself who demanded cousins and uncles to be my crew, you had me at “full blooming mimosa/with its low slung trunks” and carried me through the song.
This is wonderful! I don’t remember that my children’s fantasies were this coherent, so I loved reading this one.
This is great fun and full of heart. Beautiful.
A broad smile upon reading this–it is wonderful and a great adventure–thank you!
Dreamy and delightful- I love “duo of imaginists”!
Wonderful! I love it!
Don’t make me go home
Don’t make me go home
Perfect ending!