navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #4 » In Haunting Notes (A Cowboy Ballad)
Open Poetry #4
Post A Reply Post New Topic In Haunting Notes (A Cowboy Ballad) Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA

0 posted 1999-12-06 09:15 AM


(This is by far the longest poem I have ever written and I do appologize for the length, but please bare with it, I do not think you will be dissapointed....Thanks     )

In Haunting Notes (A Cowboy Ballad)

It was a brisk November night
When I rode into that town
Saddle sore and weary
Looking only to bed down
My clothes were dark with trail dirt
My chaps were wearing thin
The wind was blowing from the east
Cutting to my skin
Every hoof fall kicked up dust
On that quiet, darkened street
Where I hitched up, near the saloon
To get a bite to eat
My boot heels struck upon the wood
Sounds echoed in the night
The streets were bare and silent
There was not a soul in sight
Soft orange light reflected out
Casting shadows on the ground
And from the depths of that saloon
I heard a haunting sound
A voice so soft and tender
Was carried out to me
The notes she sang so tantalizing
I simply had to see
I entered through the swinging doors
And saw her standing there
Dress of red and deep blue eyes
Framed with auburn hair
She looked at me and flashed a smile
That lit up her whole face
I wondered what a girl like that
Was doing in this place
I bellied right up to the bar
Ordered up a drink
Captured in the spell she cast
I found it hard to think
Her eyes caught mine across the room
I couldn’t look away
And when she finished her last song
She turned and came my way
“Hey there cowboy, you look like
You’re lonely and bone tired
And to tell the truth, a girl like me
Likes to be admired
I got myself a room upstairs
In this crazy one horse town
I’ve got a bed just right for two
Where you’re welcome to bed down”
She smiled once more, I couldn’t speak
She reached to take my arm
Led me to her room upstairs
Captivated by her charm
“Welcome to my home, “ she said
As she opened up the door
The room was dark, a single lamp
Cast shadows on the floor
She led me to the bed and stood
Before me in the night
Slipped her clothes off,  piece by piece
Body framed in the dim light
Each sensual curve was accented
As she stood before me there
I reached to pull her in towards me
Hands running through her hair
A chain of gold graced her fair neck
From which a locket dangled
She climbed in bed, right next to me
Our bodies soon entangled
We loved and talked all through the night
I drifted off before the dawn
And in the early morning hours
I woke to find her gone
Hazy light was filtered in
Through a window marred with dust
Next to me, lay on the bed
The locket dull with rust
I picked it up and opened it
Where much to my surprise
I found a picture old and worn
That made me doubt my eyes
The picture was in black and white
It bore the test of time
But the face that I saw captured there
Was no one else but mine
I had to find her, had to know
What this was all about
Threw my clothes on in a rush
And from the room ran out
I took the steps two at a time
I had to find that girl
But what I saw, there at the bottom
Caused my head to swirl
The saloon lay quiet and empty
Silence filled the air
Old broken bottles littered the bar
Not a single soul was there
Tables and chairs were brown with rot
Dust coated all with white
But what I saw when I looked down
Was the most unnerving sight
The floor lay thick encased in sand
That had blown in through the door
Disturbed by just my set of prints
Where we’d walked the night before
I ran outside to only find
The town stood in decay
I jumped onto my waiting horse
And quickly rode away
Years have passed, since that cold night
In that quiet, darkened town
Now on my mantle, the locket rests
And some nights I’ll take it down
I open it to see my face
In a picture from the past
I’ve questions I can’t answer
With no one that I can ask
Sometimes at night, she calls to me
From somewhere in my dreams
And I simply must remind myself
All is never what it seems
So cowboy if you find yourself
On the trail some cold , dark night
And run into a quiet town
Where something seems not right
Beware the girl with auburn hair
And the mesmerizing voice
Saddle up and ride away
While you still have a choice
She haunts the town, still in search
Of a love lost long ago
And once you’re captured in her spell
She will not let you go
Mark my words, I see her face
Bathed in that dim light
Where in my dreams, she haunts me still
Every single night


 "When you come to the edge of the light which is all you know. And are about to step off into the darkness that is unknown...Faith is knowing one of two things will happen...there will be something to stand on...or you will learn how to fly." -Unknown

Dear God...please give me wings!





[This message has been edited by hoot_owl_rn (edited 12-06-1999).]

© Copyright 1999 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved
Mike
Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462

1 posted 1999-12-06 09:56 AM


Enjoyed very much.  Well done.
Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
2 posted 1999-12-06 08:47 PM


Dearest Hoot,
your opinion
of the length
I'd have to refute.

You caught me up
and took me along
the mysterious path
of this mistress of song.

The auburn-haired
beauty who stalks the bars,
frequented by cowboys
who have ridden too far.

What a wonderful
tale to keep in my pocket ...
the siren of
the auburn-haired songstress
and her mystery locket.

Give us MORE !  
I have read
almost everything
you've written since I
started frequenting this joint.
This is a WINNER ....
get my point?

Absolutely your BEST !
And I mean it !


 ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
3 posted 1999-12-06 08:50 PM


Mike...thank you for reading and for your comment

Marge...Smiling, thank you for the poem   I believe the sheer length of this one has scared all away. Thanks for taking the time to read it and even more for commenting in such a nice way. I am flattered  

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
4 posted 1999-12-06 09:04 PM


Hey, Hoot, this is an excellent ballad! I guess old Gunslinger and I can just pack up and ride outta town cause there's a new top gun in town. Seriously, you did very well and I enjoyed the story very much. If you would like to get further into it, I am available.
Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

5 posted 1999-12-06 09:12 PM


Ruth.
This is a masterpiece.
No - things are seldom what they at first seem.
I am very proud of you for this.
Excellent, excellent my friend.
K

First__Knight
Senior Member
since 1999-11-08
Posts 678

6 posted 1999-12-06 09:38 PM


My words hardly do this justice Hoot.  But I was taken down to that quiet town and I believe we all lived it just as you wrote it.  I see that you have alburn hair.....Humm where were you that night.  

 Share what you are for you are what you share

Soleil
Member
since 1999-06-12
Posts 113

7 posted 1999-12-06 10:00 PM


Loved it, length and all!
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
8 posted 1999-12-06 10:05 PM


First Night...I plead the fifth. Thanks for your comment  

Soleil, balladeer and Severn....thank you all  

Tara Simms
Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244
Honea Path, SC USA
9 posted 1999-12-06 10:17 PM




Absolutely beautiful, Ruth!  I loved the tale.  Reminded me of the movie with Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour.


 It matters not how strait the gate;
How charged with punishments the scroll;
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
--W.E. Henley



caroline
Senior Member
since 1999-08-16
Posts 1218
http://members.xoom.com/belladona123/index.htm
10 posted 1999-12-06 10:38 PM


  Indeed, Tara...I thought of that movie too! "Somewhere In Time" its called. A different era, but Hoot, your poem would make a great movie too! I love it!!!
And I thought the length just perfect for the flow and suspense of the tale.
Brava, my dear!  



 It's not the love you fear, but the fall from the height~Edwin McCain


Eloise
Senior Member
since 1999-11-27
Posts 1096
Wyoming
11 posted 1999-12-06 10:43 PM


What a powerful piece Hoot.  I was intrigued every step of the way.  Excellent.
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

12 posted 1999-12-06 11:19 PM


What a fascinating tale, Ruth! Long? Was it? Didn't seem so! I loved every word! Well done!  

 Denise



hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
13 posted 1999-12-07 10:22 AM


Tara, caroline, Eliose and Denise...thank you all for taking the time to read this and for commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed it and din't mind the length. I could not think of another way to tell this tale and make it any shorter.
I will have to check out the movie you mentioned as I have yet to see it.

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #4 » In Haunting Notes (A Cowboy Ballad)

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary