The Bold Buccaneer Poem by John Le Gay Brereton

The Bold Buccaneer

Rating: 3.1


One very rough day on the Pride of the Fray
In the scuppers a poor little cabin-boy lay,
When the Bosun drew nigh with wrath in his eye
And gave him a kick to remember him by,
As he cried with a sneer: “What good are you here?
Go home to your mammy, my bold buccaneer.”

Now the Captain beheld, and his pity upwelled:
With a plug in the peeper the Bosun he felled.
With humility grand he extended his hand
And helped the poor lad, who was weeping, to stand,
As he cried: “Have no fear; I'm the manager here.
Take heart, and you'll yet be a bold buccaneer.”

But how he did flare when the lad then and there
Doffed his cap and shook down a gold banner of hair.
Though his movements were shy, he'd a laugh in his eye,
And he sank on the Captain's broad breast with a sigh,
As he cried: “Is it queer that I've followed you here?
I'm your sweetheart from Bristol, my bold buccaneer.”

On an isle in the west, by the breezes caressed,
The bold buccaneer has a warm little nest,
And he sits there in state amid pieces of eight
And tackles his rum with a manner elate,
As he cries: “O my dear little cabin-boy, here
Is a toast to the babe of the bold buccaneer!”

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Liliana ~el 29 September 2013

I'm lost... love? Loyalty?

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Frank Avon 29 September 2014

I really think each modern poem of the day should be more representative of modern values, forms, and styles. This sounds more like the Fireside Poets of the 1800s.

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Kay Staley 29 September 2014

This doesnt sound like a modern poem. Boring story with apparent lack of purpose. It needs more clarity with what the author wants the reader to think and feel when they read it. On the bright side it has a strong use of internal rhyme scheme. It seems like the embodiment of most classical literature into a verse form.

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Michelle Claus 29 September 2014

Agree with preceding comments, I'm uncertain as to what has transpired in this tale. On the other hand, I relish this tune's perfect music.

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Darlene Walsh 29 September 2014

The lines 'gold banner of hair', 'he sank on the Captain's broad breast with a sigh', 'I'm your sweetheart from Bristol, my bold buccaneer', '“O my dear little cabin-boy, here Is a toast to the babe of the bold buccaneer' lead me to believe that the cabin boy was actually a women pretending to be a boy to sneak onto her lover's ship. He is actually a she, the Captain's babe. If I have read this poem correctly, it's actually a very touching poem and love story.

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Sylvia Frances Chan 25 February 2024

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: CONGRATS being chosen by Poem Hunter And Team as The Modern Poem Of The Day. Most deserving! 5 Stars!

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Sylvia Frances Chan 25 February 2024

SEVEN: "The Bold Buccaneer" intertwines themes of compassion, romance, and resilience in a charming and unexpected way. John Le Gay Brereton's playful language and vivid imagery make this poem a delightful read.

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Sylvia Frances Chan 25 February 2024

SIX: The final stanza celebrates their love, with the buccaneer sitting amid pieces of eight (pirate treasure) and raising a toast to their future together. The theme of love overcoming adversity prevails.

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Sylvia Frances Chan 25 February 2024

FIVE: The poem takes a whimsical turn when the cabin-boy, now revealed as the bold buccaneer, shares his love for the Captain. Their relationship blossoms, and they find solace on an island in the west, away from the harsh sea life.

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Sylvia Frances Chan 25 February 2024

FOUR: As the story unfolds, we discover that the cabin-boy is not just any crew member. He reveals himself as the sweetheart of the Captain, adding an unexpected layer of romantic love to the narrative.

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