Dorothea Barth
Essays and Poetry

Below is Battle in the Strait, an eyewitness poem and photo from the 2009 NorCal Pirate Festival held June 20 and 21, 2009 on the Vallejo waterfront. Please contact the author if interesting in acquiring either poem or photo for print publication.

 photo by Dorothea Barth ©2009

Battle in the Strait
  by Dorothea Barth © 2009

Most days when I walk this shore 
The water flows in peace 
It may ripple, it may churn, 
Sails languid in the breeze 

But on a radiant summer day 
In two thousand and nine 
To great surprise, the Redcoats came 
Where strait and shore align 

Imagine such arrival 
In view of where did reign 
The West Coast’s largest shipyard 
Whose restless ghosts remain 

Looking closer I discern 
What caused this frightful scene: 
Everywhere are pirates 
Upon my serene green 

Singing shanties, shouting arrgh 
One tries to capture me 
Tempts me with a jeweled cuff 
He barely sets me free
 
My ears then burst with splitting booms 
Blue sky fills with haze 
I bravely face the water 
Sight leaves me in a daze 

Red pirate ship with full-blown sails 
Arrives where once I’d wait 
To board a friendly ferry 
For city ‘cross the Strait

Cacophony, confusion 
I run into the glen 
Cannot conclude who triumphed: 
The pirates or Britain? 

If you find this tale too tall 
Here from the Western shore 
This picture will support my truth |
Need I say any more?