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Open Poetry #48
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Gunslinger
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 901
TX, USA

0 posted 2012-03-13 08:44 PM



There seems to be some deja vu-
As I walk through the street.
Perhaps an eery feeling-
When some landmark, my eyes meet.

As I walk along the RiverWalk-
And hear it's gentle flow-
I seem to see the Longhorns
Drink...one hundred years ago.

As I catch sight of the chapel
Gleaming in the full moonlight
I recall the Mex'can lances-
And the sabres burnished bright.

I recall the drunkard Bowie-
We all called him Colonel Jim-
And the laughing Tennessean-
And the men he brought with him.

Travis with his soldier pride-
A man for all of that-
The demand for our surrender-
His refusal ringing flat.

He answered with a cannon shot-
And we all gave a shout-
The bugles blew "duellego"
We all know what that's about.

There were thirteen days we held them
Reinforcements never came-
I hear Travis cursing Fannin-
Whose command was slain in shame.

I recall the fatal third time-
When the Mex'cans breached the wall-
And Travis crying, "Rally!"
Just before I saw him fall.

I saw Crockett club his rifle-
Laughing as he stood his ground-
Slew an escort for his passing
Ere the bullets brought him down.

Then the silence quickly settled-
I could hear the Con'quers tread
All around the mission courtyard
Where we Texicans lay dead.

I can feel my eyes start burning-
As I walk across the square
And stand beside the Alamo-
I remember I was there....

I was there in 1836-
And heard the muskets crack
And at times when I am lonely
In the moonlight I go back.


© Copyright 2012 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved
suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
1 posted 2012-03-14 08:33 AM


I feel as though I've just walked through San Antonio... then and now. *S* Beautiful, haunting write!!
JL
Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128
Texas, USA
2 posted 2012-03-14 06:59 PM


And as I read I couldn't help but think:
"Remember the Alamo!"
Excellent reminder just how quickly
our land marks become a tourist
attraction for the sellers of trinkets
and not for the remembrances of hard times
and sacrifice.

Enjoyed.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

Alison
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Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!
3 posted 2012-04-02 12:16 PM


Oh, I love this.  So happy that you decied to remain among us and share.

Alison

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