Robin Hood
By Linda A. Copp

Robin Hood hero,
legend, myth or man?
Lived in merry England,
the Shire of Nottingham.
He led a band of bandits who,
defied Prince John.
Outlaws who outwitted him
his whole life long.

Loyal to King Richard
then crusading far from home
these robber's made it their mission
to keep the scheming Prince
from ascending Richard's throne.

Stealing from the rich and greedy,
giving to the poor and needy,
it's no wonder they became
heroes in the people's name.

Now, an age remembers them,
for deeds instead of crime,
in folk lore and literature
they've been recorded for all time,
as defenders of the poor folk
who kept the rich in line.

So, hooded villains dressed in green,
hiding in the wood,
right or wrong or in-between,
I think I understood,
That times and troubles
may make men do
things they'd rather not
and a people's need most certainly
can turn a thief into,
a beloved Patriot!

By Linda A. Copp
August 6, 2004 ©Abridged version