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Open Poetry #47
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Gunslinger
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 901
TX, USA

0 posted 2011-01-29 10:58 AM



Each dawn doth bring the chance of death-
And no one knows his final breath-
And many live their days in dread-
Of when the moment strikes them dead.

If I feared death, I'd never load-
My truck and set out on the road.
And drive on ice with bated breath
And skirt the hairline edge of death.

If I feared death, I'd stayed at home
And never packed my bags to roam-
Across the breadth of our great land
A lonely, solitary man.

If death were feared, the pioneers-
Would never wooded forest cleared.
And left their kith, and home, and kin
To fill that longing deep within.

What longing? Why the one to fill...
Desire to climb far yonder hill-
And with expectant eyes so wide
To see what's on the other side.

To leave behind the clutter, and-
Society's restricting bands-
To carve a kingdom for themselves
While timid men did stock their shelves.

The fear of death? why what's to fear?
He's been my comrade through the years.
And taken those I loved so well-
Some to Heaven, some to Hell.

He's tried before, time and again-
And managed not..thus far to win.
But as my odds decrease with age-
Someday He'll take me in his rage.

And as the pain burns in my chest-
Perhaps a bullet through my breast..
I'll smile as darkness clouds my view-
And say, "Oh, Death, I fear not you."



© Copyright 2011 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved
Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
1 posted 2011-01-29 11:04 AM


We all know you are gutsy Gunslinger, it just oozes out of your work.  Fear should be afraid of you.  As for myself, sorry to say, am a dyed in the wool fraidy cat. I admire you.
Lori

Andrew Scott
Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA
2 posted 2011-01-29 01:33 PM


A most excellent piece. Style and content Your path is worth following. Thanks for sharing.

"We'll chase them like rats across the tundra."

katahdin
Senior Member
since 2010-07-01
Posts 1196
ME. In the Shadow of the Mt.
3 posted 2011-01-29 08:16 PM


When the game is over no one wins
So go down fighting till the end
May you be forgiven all your sins
And in the end make death your friend

See, you inspired me again!
Kat >^..^<

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
4 posted 2011-02-02 02:17 PM


I love your poem, John.  The trick, of course, is to balance not fearing death with a respect for it, and thus to exercise enough caution not to allow it too soon.  Smiles.

Owl

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