Jean Lafitte

"He left a corsair’s name to other times,
Linked one virtue to a thousand crimes."
- Lord Byron

Don't call me "pirate."
I sail with 1000 men.

Your movie actors
in Hollywood;
megawatt smiles,
betray their countrymen,
move to France,
because they don't
agree with war.
I sail with 1000 men.

How can you be
a pirate and not warrior.
According to my code,
"Coward" means death.
I sail with 1000 men.

They call me Jean Lafitte.
I am the best man on the Gulf Coast.
I am The Buccaneer,
The Hero of New Orleans.
I sail with 1000 men.

While you read a script,
pretend to sail,
and steal,
I am condemned and exonerated
by your president.
I sail with 1000 men.

I am loved by all,
hated by
those who fear me.
I sailed the Gulf of Mexico,
in a leaking ship,
and defeated the British in
The Battle of New Orleans.
I sail with 1000 men.

Don't call me "pirate."
I am a privateer.
I sail with 1000 men.

I invented economy
in a new America that had naught.
For thanks,
I was branded "traitor"
and reviled,
though I saved you from
your hated Motherland.
I sail with 1000 men.

Now I am driven from
your corrupted American shores,
betrayed by a country
that doesn't
know the difference between
savior and satan.
I spit on you.
I sail with 1000 men.

"Thou hadst not lived to - hate me - if thou wilt."
-Lord Byron


***Jean Lafitte is a real historical figure. Look him up at:

http://www.crimelibrary.com/americana/lafitte/main.htm

The only REAL pirate on my list!***