Mr Roberts

Doggerel Dave


Notice of absence from Doggerel Dave
Not absent - still here!
Keep Calm and Carry On Poeming. 😂

Mr Roberts, a very fine fellow,

Head of a free enterprise company:

Its culture great, loyalty did follow -

A guarantee of his incumbency.

 

As the whole collective freely voted

On the direction each project should run,

Then maximum effort was devoted

To the task’s accomplishment until done.

 

While CEO and small management team

Took only double share of any gain,

Equal shares among the rest it would seem

Ensured solidarity without strain.

 

So this was a haven of radical

Egalitarianism just when?

The eighteenth century - quite practical

This cooperative venture even then.

 

Well, there’s one small detail I now must add,

It’s something I feel the need to get straight:

(Please no judgment – let’s not hear the word ‘bad’)

Bartholomew Roberts was a pirate.

 

 

 

  • Author: Doggerel Dave (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: April 5th, 2021 02:07
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 64
  • Users favorite of this poem: Poetic Dan
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Comments +

Comments7

  • Goldfinch60

    Aargh! Black Bart!

    "Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight!"

    He was quite a character as many of his men were freed slaves who, when he was killed were taken back into slavery.

    Andy

    • Doggerel Dave

      Aargh! did you first meet the man in RLS's classic tale Andy?
      Glad someone knows something about the Golden Age - an interesting and complicated time full of action and colourful characters.

    • Michael Edwards

      A great read - didn't see the closing stanza coming.

      • Doggerel Dave

        Thanks Michael - Only aim - a commentary on social arrangements plus a surprise at the end.

      • Jerry Reynolds

        A well-written poem, Dave.

        • Doggerel Dave

          Thanks Jerry - a bit clunky in places, I must confess - but I tried.

        • Fay Slimm.

          Applause for keeping me on the edge of my seat with this intriguing tale of a pirate's fair dealings .... ha - those were the days - eh Dave ?

          • Doggerel Dave

            Got me there, Fay - How many companies/corporations today have that kind of morality; or perhaps, more to the point, how many don't?

          • Doggerel Dave

            Hey Dan, many thanks for favouring this piece - I'm more gratified than I can say...

          • Neville


            An interesting and informative post for sure .. I was certainly not anticipating that punchline .. Now feel inclined to find out more about good old Mr. Roberts ....... N

            • Doggerel Dave

              Quite a rewarding slice of our past (privateers, slavery and all), the Golden Age. Complex - note Andy's comment up top. History in the raw.

            • sorenbarrett

              Pirates were the most democratic groups of the era. Captains were elected and could be removed by vote. That's probably why they were so diligently hunted. A great tale



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