Lou Marin was born and raised in the western hills of Maine, then spent 20 plus years wandering the country and world in the United States Air Force. He is a published poet and short story writer who now also writes faith based devotionals. He lives in Rumford, Maine. His five poetry anthologies, published by Publish America are Awash With Words, Old Waves, New Beaches, Whisper of Waves, and Sea To Shining Sea, Version 1 and 2, are available in print and online.

Jean Lafitte

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.