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Open Poetry #5
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Tonight's The Night I Die
| Open Poetry #5 |
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Tonight's The Night I Die |
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John Yaws Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860Texas 
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The setting sun is red as blood, there in the western sky- I’m not sure how, but still I know, this is the day I die. I’d not confess it to a soul, my heart is cold with fright... A reputation hunting kid, is spoiling for a fight. They said my draw was next to none, but that was long ago- Now age and arthritis have combined to make me slow. I’m far too old to face a kid, and try to beat his gun.... I’ll lie face-down in yonder street, before I’ll turn and run. For more than twenty years I’ve worn a star upon my vest.. They say at bringing in my man, I am one of the best. My time has come, my course is run, but still I’ll stand and fight- Although inside a voice tells me, that I will die tonight. I’ve heard it said, or maybe read...about the craven’s fate- Of how he dies a thousand deaths...I’d not live such a state.. I soak my hands in water, as hot as I can stand... And stare into the mirror at...an old and frightened man. I think of other cow towns, and a hundred dusty streets- A hundred times I’ve hitched my gun, before our time to meet- The times I’ve face another man, the times I’ve wondered why Now I myself will meet their fate, tonight’s the night I die. I walk out in the dusty street, and look up at the moon- I know the kid is waiting in the “Drover’s Rest Saloon”- If I have to face the kid, I’d rather have sunlight.... He called the play, I have to go...I know I’ll die tonight. He rises from his table, as I step inside the door.... His smile is cruel and mocking as he steps out on the floor. He says, “You have just one more chance, unpin the badge and ride, Tomorrow’s news will be how you were old and slow and died”. A flash of doubt shows in his eyes, I stop to make my play- The swiftness of his lightning draw, amazes me today... I felt his bullet’s fiery breath, as I drew my forty-four- All breathing stops as our guns crash, and he falls to the floor. If a moral’s what you’re looking for, I guess it would be this- The fastest draw don’t mean a thing, if you’re gonna miss. I guess it’s time to make my rounds, then lay down with a sigh, My death might come tomorrow, tonight I didn’t die. Visit My Home Page http://www.geocities.com/montcogunslinger/HomePage.html |
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| © Copyright 2000 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Great writing, great story and a great message.....and it's nice to see we're both human.  |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
WOW!! What a captivating tale this is! I enjoyed this immensely!!  Denise |
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Gemini Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203Wisconsin, USA |
G.S. I liked this one. Good writing. |
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One Who Understands Member
since 2000-01-20
Posts 251Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
Excellent, excellent, excellent. Wow I love that writing style and I loved the heart you put into your story. Truly beautiful work my freind. I commend you |
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