And Then a Cup of Tea

Mal McKimmie

The Captain had a kipper from a previous daring breakfast

Lodged dangerously close to his spine;

But still he led his men.

When he stepped from the wooden dinghy and waded ashore

He was picking his teeth bravely with a fish-bone.

The sun rose behind him and broke its yolk upon the New World;

It flowed golden.

Grinning, he dipped his little soldiers in it.