Jean Lafitte, Buccaneer

Jean Lafitte (1780? - 1826?), was a famous pirate in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century.

Jean Lafitte, Buccaneer

Jean Lafitte without country, had no home;
From Gulf Coast to Caribbean he’d roam.
With fifty ships, give or take a few,
He'd more than a thousand in his crew.
Sailing the oceans in search of treasure,
They stole from the rich for profit and pleasure.

Tall dark and handsome, a buccaneer.
Call him swashbuckler, call him privateer.
Dare call him pirate to his face,
Risk death in a duel or else disgrace.
Master of sword, a tiger in fight;
Three duels to the death in just one night.

Elegant, charming and graceful in dance;
Ladies' hearts would melt from just his glance.
The Governor’s wife was lured to his bed.
Her husband put a price upon Jean’s head.
To show his scorn, and to not be out done,
Jean countered with a purse of thrice that sum.

Hero of the Battle of New Orleans
With sailors, pirogues and Brigantines.
British attacked through the everglades.
Jean waited in cover to make his raids.
Red Coats were stronger by three to one,
Jean and Old Hickory put them on the run.

At the end Jean was still a buccaneer,
Sailed the oceans for many a year.
His death, like his life is a mystery;
More questions for books of history.
South of New Orleans his ghost walks at night,
Guarding his treasure, a most frightful sight.

I'm very proud to announce that this poem was awarded Honorable Mention in the "33rd Traditional Poetry Contest" for May 2007.

Thanks Monty and sherri gibson!