Blackbead

Does this here Coffee House also serve to those who make gee-gaws from beads and the like? If ye want to see some of me work, check out www.Blackbead-jewelry.com. If I meet your requirements, make mine black . . . with a shot of rum to clear out the cobewebs, if'n ye please! Blackbead

Aye, Blackbead, I've done a bit o' drawing professionally. What be it ya want? Style? A lil somethin ta go on, as t'were... Ahoy, Gertie! I figure the style be mainly up to the talent of the artist. I can see several ways to go with this idea. One would be a true graphic novel with a "comic book" look and feel. Another would be a more traditional text/illustration look. It'll depend a great deal on the style or medium that the artist works in. I would not favor photographs but I'd be amenable to discussionon the subject if someone wanted to talk me out of it. Here's a portion of one of the poems, this one's called "The Captain's Coat": The nimble ‘Venture swung ‘round smartly And we heeled with hardly a sway And there sat the Spanish galleon Resting barely two cables away. For when she had turned to meet us In the irons she became firmly locked With the wind a’blowin’ on her bowsprit She sat as still as if she was docked But the Adventure was like a seabird Flying light and fast and spry And even with the wind against us We were sailing full and by. Our first broadside was a weak one: The portside guns were down to five, But when we came ‘round a’tacking, The starboard guns came alive. We slowly tacked towards the transom, Firing each time the guns came to bear, Turning the Adventure as close to the wind As I could bring myself to dare. Stephen Sanders ©2008 There are at least four poems I want to do this with and possibly more. If someone wanted to start with a shorter poem, here's one to play with: Farewell, Brave Lion I took you from a Spanish captain, Back in seventeen-oh-two, I knew it was your maiden voyage: Your sails were still brand new. You handled like an Irish racehorse, Headstrong but steady and true, And with the slightest breezes There was nothing I couldn’t ask of you. You managed fourteen cannon Without giving up a knot And in every fight but the last one You gave better than you got. It was my mistake to fight a carrack With a twenty-four gun array And now you lie forever ‘Neath the blue of Santiago Bay. It’s been years since first I boarded you, Now your sailing days are through, Your guns have all gone silent: I finally asked too much of you. Stephen Sanders ©2008 Let's talk! Blackbead

Ahoy, mates! I'm looking for someone to provide illustrations for some poems. The idea is to take some poetry and create a sort of "graphic novel." You provide the illustrations and I provide the poetry. Anyone interested? Blackbead

Mr. Kimble, Please take note of this post. I have a copy of it for my records. Steve "Blackbead" Sanders

Here be a way that one old seadog celebrated in the past . . . Rana A crowded, smoke-filled jungle clearing: Pulsing drums, gyrating bodies, A swirl of raucous pleasure. So exotic and new to me And yet as old as the world. And then you are there, Shouting your name so I can hear it: “Ranavalona, but they call me Rana.” Half French and half Merinha, you say, You tell me you are “Hova” but to me it sounds like “home,” Your smile, your laughter, The sparkle of the firelight in your eyes . . . And then we slip away into the night To share a dance all alone. Your face framed in my hands . . . Your whispered words in pidgin French Become a song in my ear . . . The movement of your body under my hand . . . Then, later, I lean close, to give you a gift of pearls Taken from a treasure chest aboard a Moghul galleon Bound for Persia from the Indee. Even now, years later, I feel the warmth and the weight Of your breast against my chest. A moment of intimacy in a river of time But it marks itself as a memory On a day that I can never forget. Enchanté, mademoiselle, enchanté, Rana. Stephen Sanders ©2008 A very Merry Christmas to us all!

Well, Rats, I think Mal and his cohorts really DID meet the definition of "pirates" and I make a pretty good argument to that effect in the summer issue of "Pyrates Way" magazine. I wrote an article on pirates in science fiction and discussed both the reavers and Serenity's crew. If "piracy" is defined as murder, mayhem and theft on the high seas (or in the lanes of commerce which space definitely is in the period represented in the Firefly series) then I think lots of the things that Mal and his crew did constitute "piracy." For instance, using their vessel to help them pull of the train robbery or to transport stolen cattle - all of these things would have made Henry Morgan proud as he landed his men to take Puerto Bello or raid Cartagena. I agree that you can also make the argument that they are more smugglers but they use their weapons in a much more offensive way than your average smuggler does and the nature of their vessel limits their capabilities as true space pirates. On the other hand, the reavers are definitely equipped to take on other ships but their lack of an intent to steal and profit from the theft (except in their own sick, twisted way) also argues against them being true space pirates. But, lots of fodder for discussion there and I think you can argue that both groups are and are not pirates. Blackbead

Hmmm, most of me toys would be considered kind of "babyish" by a strappin' 14 year old. I'll see if I got a pirce of jewelry that might be more to his likin'. When do ye need this by?

Scupper, How old is the lad? My business sells lots of different pirate toys but I wouldn't want to send anything that would be age inappropriate. I have bags-o-pirates, for instance. WOuld that work? Blackbead

While they are short (the longest is only 33 stanzas), there are several poems in Raising Black Flags: Original Poetry By and About Pirates, ISBN 978-0-615-25535-4, Blackbead Books, 2008, that are EXCELLENT tales of pirates, sea battles, treasure, salamungundi, mermaids, ghosts, privateers, and life and death on the High Seas! Here's part of one of them called "The Captain's Coat": “Get aloft,” the captain shouted, “There’s a prize to be taken out there! Man your guns and prepare for a battle Each survivor takes an equal share!” I was sailing on the brig Adventure, A nimbler square-rigger I’ve never seen She was stiff, she was yar, she was weatherly, And her lines were true and clean. Her captain was a man named Griffin Who was always ready for a fight His hand was iron in discipline But he treated us seadogs right. He wore a long green gentleman’s coat With a high collar and trim of gold You could find him on deck with barely a glance ‘Cause he always wore it, whether hot or cold. We bore down on the ship he had sighted And the crew all gasped in surprise For there before us, rising up out of the haze, A Spanish galleon appeared before our eyes. Tall as a mountain, three times our height, And that was with her riding low, And her sides were covered with gun ports: Twelve on top and twelve below. I was berthed as Griffin’s Master Gunner And I knew what that broadside could mean If the Dons knew how to use them Their guns would sweep our deck clean. Captain Griffin had always been a brawler I knew what he intended to do We’d run in and throw over our grappling hooks And our boarders would o’erwhelm the crew. Standing at me station, I trembled, The sweat was a’crawling down me back. The ‘Venture was running ahead of the wind Approaching the Dons on their portside tack. For the rest of the poem, and for other works by fourteen very different poets, search for the book by title at Amazon.com, on Barnes and Nole's website, on the Books-A-Million website AND at Blackbead Books (www.Blackbead-jewelry.com). The book goes for $11.95 at Blackbead's but the retailers are running specials for Christmas! Fair winds to ye all! Blackbead

Many, many thanks to everyone who came out last Saturday! I hope you all had a great time, I know Captain Jasper and I did! If you haven't been to The Embarqadero, you should get over there and see all of the incredible items that Colleen has collected including some primo gifts for the pirates on your list! We plan on having another event over in Port Worth and we'll let everyone know when and where. Again, thank you for coming out and sharing some wine, some tales of the sea, and some great fellowship! Blackbead

Thank ye both, very kindly, me hearties! I'm glad that ye plan on getting one, Hana, and I am exceedingly glad that ye've already bought one, Reverend Sam! The many thanks of the authors and artists involved go out to ye both! There been a lot of hard pullin' and no small bit of sweatin' that ha' gone into these here bundles of leaves and when someone lays out their own true capital to acquire one it be the highest reward for our work! In a mercenary vein, I'd ask that if ye like the book and the writin' that be in it, then let your friends, relations and shipmates know and, if ye be so kind, consider logging onto Lulu.com, Amazon. com, Barnes&Noble.com, Books-A-Million.com or any of the BookFinder4U sites and leaving a review/comment. The crew of the Adventure is doing all they can to spread the word but any help we can get from satisfied customers would mean the world to us! None of us expect to ever get rich with these books but these days every little bit helps! God's blessings be on both ye heads! And a fair wind and a slow galleon to ye! Blackbead

Ahoy, Hana! Raising Black Flags is now available from www.Blackbead-jewelry.com, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, Books-A-Million.com, or ye can stop by me next market set-up and purchase one direct! I'll be at The Embarqadero in Dallas this Saturday! See ye there?? Blackbead

Huzzah, Ransom! Who's next?!?!?

There once was a pirate named Rick Who had a hook instead of a . . . You're right, never mind.

Captain Hook sat alone pondering the sea When he felt a stealthy hand upon his knee, He reacted with quite a shock, Fearing a certain clock-crock, When he heard a little voice - "It's only Smee!" "I'll wager me salmagundy against all the rest! If ye ever taste it ye'll swear ye've been blessed: Black olives and boiled eggs, Wilted lettuce and frog's legs . . ., But it's the rum dressing that makes it the best!"

Well done, me hearties! Keep 'em coming!

Ahoy, mates! What: Raising Black Flags: Original Poetry By and About Pirates - This new book, ISBN 978-0-615-25535-4, Blackbead Books, 2008, is an anthology of poetry and images by fourteen different poets and two artists. There will be Poetry Readings, Book Signings, and Question and Answer Sessions with the editor and at least two of the poets! Refreshsments (wine, soft drinks, water and snacks) will be served! Copies of the book will be available for purchase and autographing! When: November 15, 2008 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Where: The Embarqadero, 10346 Ferguson Lane, Dallas, TX, 75228 (NE Corner of Casa View shopping center, same corner as the CVS) Check out their website at www.embarqadero.com!

There once was a pirate named Jane, Who was only slightly insane, Instead of treasures in her chest, She liked to keep politician's heads there best . . . Well, maybe she's not that hard to explain!

Some pirates have parrots for pets, Some monkeys, others frisky fer-rets! But as for me crew, Only an elephant will do . . . He's huge but he never forgets!

Excellent! Sorry it took so long but we sold OUT of the first printing and I had to order another batch. I also sent one to Jamaica Rose over at NQG. I hope you enjoy the read, mate, and I'm sure the poets and artists are all looking forward to your review! Blackbead

Raising Black Flags, ISBN 978-0-615-25535-4, Blackbead Books, 2008, is now available through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and Blackbead Books. This anthology of forty poems all about the legends, lore, and everyday life of the pirate, privateer, buccaneer, and seadog makes an excellent and affordable ($11.95 plus shipping) gift for the pirate on your gift list! Stop in at one of the websites and order a copy for yourself, too!

I got MINE, as they say! It looks fantastic! And I am not just saying that because an article of mine is on the front cover!! The information is timely, the articles are interesting and informative, the color is bright and vibrant, the cards are cool, the girls are gorgeous . . . I could go on but I have a real job that is supposed to be taking this time slot. Anyway, it's worth the wait, I promise! And other people must like it, too. I sold several copies at Middlefaire and one of the folks that bought one said that this was a mag that they were definitely going to subscribe to! Dang, gotta run! Blackbead

God Take the King! Ye ask me why I sail the seas beneath a flag stained black, And why I risk both life and limb and take the pirate tack? The answer is an easy one, a song I love to sing, After years of bloody taxes, I have come to hate the king! Chorus: Huzzah! Huzzah! It’s a new song I sing! Give me rum, freedom and buckets of gold and God Take the King! I bear the marks upon me back of scratches from his cat: Too many times I’ve come up short when ‘is Majesty passed the hat. At pike point he collects me pay before it can be spent On niceties like milk or shoes or even to pay the rent. Chorus My Maggie she died coughin’ after a winter without a coat, Me son, he drowned in a summer storm workin’ a fishin’ boat, Me daughter sold her childhood for pennies to help our plight, Until one cold, dark evenin’ when we lost her to the night. Chorus Now all me stanchions are overboard, me kids, me lovely wife, So I spends me time in the sweetest trade, I live the pirate life. No more will I pay me taxes with coins a coppery-red, The only tax I’ll pay this king is shot that’s made of lead. Chorus But don’t ye waste a tear, shipmates, cryin’ for the likes of me, For, in truth, I’ve come to love this life a’sailin’ on the sea. There’s rum, there’s women, there’s glory, and sometimes even gold, And maybe me own ship one day if I live to be that old. Chorus And don’t forget, me hearties, death is everywhere at sea. A pirate’s life is a dodgy one, as I’m sure you’ll all agree, Someday I’ll find me doorway among these many harms And go to spend eternity in me lovin’ family’s arms. Chorus (Repeat and shout out the last "God Take the King!") Stephen Sanders ©2008

Ahoy, mates! Two weeks ago, a hardy group of pirate poets and artists set sail on a voyage of hope. In search of gold and glory, they published a book of poetry and artwork by and about pirates. This book, entitled Raising Black Flags, is currently on the market in a "Special Edition" format which will be replaced in about a week with a published format complete with International Standard Book Number, ready to be marketed at fine retailers around the world! If you want to take a gander at the book, go to Blackbead Books for a preview. The reason I'm posting this here is that we are already planning our next trip! We plan on putting out another book by Christmas of 2009 (we're also planning a "sword and sorcery" fantasy book, as well.) This book will include poetry, short stories, and artwork. If you're interested in becoming part of the next anthology, drop me a line and let's parley! Blackbead

The book is out! Check out http://stores.lulu.com/blackbead!