The Pirate's Life For Me

I starts me life as pirate, 
A grommet before age twelve,
Not an ordinary bandit,
High sea adventures me delve.

With a Letter of Marque in me han’
And the Commodore for me pa!
I spends dogwatch near the helmsman,
Nerey missin’ me bonny ma.

Old salts tell their gory tales,
Aye, dogs hanging from the gallows.
Punishments for a man who fails
Floggings or keelhaul; blood bath follows.

Scrimshaw hangin’ ‘round me neck.
A privateer by trade,
Flaunting booty on the deck
We’s the scallywags brigade.

Pirateering is me heartthrob.
I dreams schemes in the crows nest.
‘bout takin’ swag from an unfortunate swab.
I sits watchin’ pa from the crest.

Long nines aimed and ready,
Jolly Roger on the mainmast,
Headway fast and steady,
The enemy’s fate forecast.

One for all and all for one!
Drinkin’ grog an’ eatin’ grub.
Werkin’ on the “Morning Sun”
Me father at the hub.

Davy Jone’s locker, me final plight! 
Death drifting in me beloved sea –
Straightway from the dark of night
The pirate’s life for me!

© July 15, 2010
Dane Smith-Johnsen
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
March 26, 2011 at 10:35 PM
how strange it seems to me that a pirate poem got you thru to the finals when you have so many other outstanding nature poems. But anyway, how cool you are in the finals. Way to go.
Brown Avatar
March 9, 2011 at 3:52 AM
Congratulations on your poetry making it through round one of PoetrySoup's contest. The best to you in the finals Dane Ann. Love Carol
Fisher Avatar
March 7, 2011 at 12:53 PM
Many congrats on your well deserved first round success Dane Ann - luv Janette
Guzzi Avatar
March 6, 2011 at 5:52 PM
Such a FUN write Now you must illustrate this winner as it will surely go to roound to MY DANIE!!! Soup Site winner! Light & Love
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
February 5, 2011 at 6:52 PM
Ahoy Matey, Congrats Dane Ann on your quatrain being featured. Vince
Inka Avatar
February 4, 2011 at 2:59 PM
Directly to my favorites list. What an AWESOME write!!!!
Austin Avatar
February 1, 2011 at 2:46 PM
Congrats on the selection. Forty men on a dead man's chest........Enjoyed mucho. Dave
Keogh Jr. Avatar
August 10, 2010 at 9:46 AM
I like this. This could EASILY be a lyric for an sea shaanty or a folk song. You have really captured the surface flavor and feel of this. You richly deserve the top pick. Regards always, Gerard
Mehta Avatar
August 4, 2010 at 7:55 PM
Congrats on the first place win, Dane
Guzzi Avatar
July 28, 2010 at 12:54 PM
Who's #1 do the happy happy Dane dance! Way ta go mehearty! arrrghhhh!
Brown Avatar
July 28, 2010 at 5:21 AM
Congratulations Dane Ann on your win in Paula Swanson's contest "A Tale O'Pilligin". Love, Carol
George   Avatar
July 28, 2010 at 3:59 AM
AWESOME!!!!! Dane Ann. Congratulatins! On your well deserved First Place win. Love, Lainie
Dufresne Avatar
July 27, 2010 at 6:04 PM
Congrats Dane Anne . ya done er good ya did aargh!
Cwiak Avatar
July 27, 2010 at 3:50 PM
Aye, the pirate's life is one told well here...Congrats on your win in the contest! Dan C
Richards Avatar
July 27, 2010 at 2:56 PM
Congratulations on your pirate's tale, Dane Ann! Well done! ~ Carrie
Sweetheart Avatar
July 27, 2010 at 1:54 PM
Big super congrats Dane Ann on your first place poem in the Pillagin contest... an amazing tale and worthy of your well deserved first place... blessings are showered on u my friend .. your poetry is immense.. enjoy ..with luv..
Guzzi Avatar
July 16, 2010 at 6:15 PM
I can't do it I can't write abba!!! grrrrrrrrr..love your pirate tale!
George   Avatar
July 15, 2010 at 12:53 PM
Tis awesome indeed mattie. Love, Lainie
Bloomsfield Avatar
July 15, 2010 at 3:36 AM
Hey Sweet pirate,lovely,lovely poem dear Dane!C elene!
Nutter Avatar
July 15, 2010 at 3:21 AM
Writing in the dialect of the pirate and putting it to verse shows how talented a writer you are. Excellent piece my friend.
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