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| Open Poetry #14 |
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The End of the Forums |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US 
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They rode into town as dusk turned to dark, Three outlaws so tough no mongrel dared bark. The steady clip clop of their horses proclaimed Sure death had arrived in the guise of this gang. The Forums were known throughout the Wild West As the quickest to draw and the first to protest. No man dared stand, nor to meet their hard gaze, 'Les he wanted to see six-shooters ablaze. The shortest rode point, at just five foot two, Her height little matter to the men she had slew. Nan was the master of quip and the quill, Ripostes so clever, so sharp as to kill. Her cranberry hat pulled low o'er her eyes, Like thunder that hides 'hind clouds in the skies, Nan led the Forums to town that dark night, The first of the three, the worst to incite. To her left rode Kit, the youngest by some, Called Kitty the Kid by dead men too dumb To know that all cats have very sharp claws And this little kit could kill without pause. To the left, then right, she surveyed the street, Her eyes were green daggers no man dared meet. Kit smiled her slight smile, a gesture sans mirth, As all eyes that she saw were locked on the Earth. Then riding at rear, the last was the first, For Sharon was truly the worst of the worst. By bullet or knife, by garrote or fist, No man would survive, no man could resist. Her shadowy face in mystery cast, Fingers a'twitch, with skills unsurpassed, Sharon ignored the look in men's eyes, Knowing the awe was but fear in disguise. The Forum Gang rode to the one-room saloon, Hitching their horses 'neath a pale crescent moon, Then one by one, strode through the swinging doors, To a roomful of silence, save the creaking of floors. At the bar, Kit pointed to a bottle of gin, And the barkeep poured three glasses of sin. Nan was the first to demand a refill, While Sharon just sipped the evil distill. The hush in the room of twenty-some men Highlighted the creak of the door swingin' again. Nan and Kit turned at the possible threat, Though Sharon just sipped, unconcerned yet. He stood at the doors, his thumbs in his belt, A calm smile belying whatever he felt. His boots were dirty, his cotton shirt torn, And the knees in his jeans were thin and worn. His hip was bare of the weight of cold steel And Kit just snickered at how he must feel. A fool, surmised Nan, and would have left it at that Except for the color of the calm man's big hat. He sauntered to the bar, as slow as you please, Winking at Kit and giving Nan's shoulder a squeeze. Aghast at what the strange man had done, They quietly watched as he leaned next to Sharon. Kit back-pedaled quick to get out of the way, Certain the calm man would surely be prey. But their surprise was soon more than surpassed When Sharon just poured the calm man a glass. He motioned his thanks by tipping his hat, Then pushed the glass to where Sharon's glass sat. Refusing a drink was an insult to some, but Sharon just shrugged and sipped on her one. The calm man smiled and nodded at Kit, Then made room at the bar so Nan could still fit. The silent crowd watched in cold disbelief, Surprised the cowboy had come to no grief. They drank through the night, and talked 'til dawn, And day found the four on the edge of town. The Forums were done and no one was dead. But enduring friendships were forged instead. As three rode away, reliving the night, The cowboy knew they would soon reunite. Friendships are dear and distance means naught, Or so said the lessons the calm man had taught. Legend claims the gang never killed again. ('Les they needed killing, quickly added Nan.) They learned that talk was better than combat From a calm, smiling man in a snow-white hat. |
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| © Copyright 2001 Ron Carnell - All Rights Reserved | |||
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JLR Senior Member
since 2001-02-04
Posts 1785 |
Is this what I've been missing in the mornings...thanks for the laugh and the story! |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
I love it Ron! I think you got those cow girls down pretty good. Good thing they're not killing anymore it makes it easier to make a mistake here and not be scared to death. Prasie the calm man in the white het for is the one that knows where it's at! Great write! I really loved the story style! Have a nice day! Eric True The role of poetry is to utter the un-utterable; to open up |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
 I'll have googols more to say after I figure out my new puter here...    [This message has been edited by Nan (edited 05-28-2001).] |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
This deserves a Bravo Ron. I enjoyed every bit of the story and all the shadows within. Thanks for a wonderful read. Sy |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Oh, so this is how it all got started! I've been wondering. All this, from a bottle of gin. It was much more than that to produce this site, and all you have done is so much appreciated. (True to life charatures, Ron. hehe) Loved the poem Liz |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Thanks for the kind words, guys.  For those not in the know, this is the result of a "Truth or Dare" thread running in the Senior Lounge. I was challenged to design a smilie wearing a cowboy hat (see Nan's post), then post a poem describing the smilie but without using the smilie. And the title of my poem had to indicate the forums were being closed. Poking a little fun at the instigators of my dare was my own idea.  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
No more saw the title when I knew the dare...had been answered... with the truth! Bravo! |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
This was great, Ron, and very much enjoyed! |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
!!!!! ROFL - Wonderful !!!!! Challenge exceedlingly well met Ron!  I'm glad I was alone in the room when I read this ... you had me laughing out loud at every turn! I loved the story - great visuals, LOL! Thanks for the "Giddy"up Pardner!!!!  Best wishes and an extra bottle of gin, Kitty the Kid [This message has been edited by Kit McCallum (edited 05-28-2001).] |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
Ron I enjoyed this very much, had me wondering a little. Loved the style Take care Marsha  Take back the hope you gave,- I claim |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
so creative...I had to read for fear there was some truth to a closing...*s ~Wynter "The worst prison would be a closed heart". |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
WELL DONE!!!! ROFL....thanks for the smiles...and DO come out to play more often!!!!  |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
This is great Ron, thanks for the enjoyable read Maree |
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X Angel Senior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 1521Oregon |
ahem ya had me scared padnuh! great poem Ron *hugs* ~Heather |
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Watersign6 Senior Member
since 2001-05-25
Posts 823Hurricane,WV |
WOW oh WOW! Ron what a great story poem or whatever ya call it,anyway i loved reading it |
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Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
LOL oh LOL....I was wondering just how you were gonna manage to fulfill that dare....wonderful cowboy |
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Dopey Dope
Moderator
Member Patricius
since 2000-08-30
Posts 11132San Juan, Puerto Rico |
Bravo Ron!!!  |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
what a relief! The title scared me! |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Ron! You met the dare and then some! I was torn by emotions when I read this - I laughed at the story - was awed by the intricate truth of it all - and amazed by your talent...again.  Thanks for all you've done!! You've become an icon now you know : ron : The man in the white hat - a truly good guy!! |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
This was excellent Ron, I so enjoyed reading your words! I believe it is a first for me, but surely not a last! *s* On the wings of words our spirits fly....and our souls are free. |
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inot2B Member Elite
since 2000-09-18
Posts 2205Arkansas |
So now we know what goes on in the Senior Lounge!!! A lot of horseplay!! Did enjoy your story about our 3 ladies !!!!!  |
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LoveBug
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-01-08
Posts 4697 |
Wonderful storytelling, Ron!!! *bows to the master* "Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for everyone can see and few can feel."-Machiavelli [This message has been edited by LoveBug (edited 05-28-2001).] |
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Greeneyes 
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
Ron This was great... Greeneyes~ *** Nothing Beautiful In This World |
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL |
 It certainly is great to see you outside playing with the rest of us! Dare well met if ya ask me! Thanks for my first real smile of the day, Ron! |
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Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
*lol* oh my loved the story....and yeah you really got me with that title....but glad to found this funny story. enjoyed it very much ((hugs)) Charisma |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
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theLadypoet Member
since 2001-05-28
Posts 97Or USA |
Ron... I was just sauntering through to get an idea of whether or not this would be a good place for me to post. And there you were...shades of "Mature Guns"! ROFL Now I am off to find that seniors forum cause nobody is senior as I am :+0 theLadypoet |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Um... I dunno, Ladypoet... We have some pretty different modes of "senior" assessment around here...  |
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Songbird Member Elite
since 1999-12-15
Posts 2184Missouri |
Gee, I thought I was having a bad dream when I saw that title.. glad it wasn't true.. I enjoyed the poem.. I love cowboy talk, all it needed was some western music playing in the background.. but I heard it playing anyway. |
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anonymous albert ?
since 2001-03-23
Posts 2979 |
*applauds*...amazing storytelling...wonderful!...hurraaay!!... !!and oh..yea when i read the title i was like...no more forums?!?!  (addict of pip)...but that wasnt the case!! i'm addicted to passions in poetry!...are you? [This message has been edited by anonymous albert ? (edited 05-29-2001).] |
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Saunni Senior Member
since 2000-07-11
Posts 1777West Virginia |
This is GREAT! Enjoyed! Sauni Sauni :) |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
How about a Tuesday morning bump for this guy??? |
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Mother_Earth Senior Member
since 2000-11-20
Posts 13701/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan |
Now this was a great way to start a Tuesday morning!! The title got me also, but as soon as I got into the "story" I knew it was going to be a great story. You "painted" some scary pictures of those cow-gals taking over the pip town. Loved every word , ME |
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SEA
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
Love it.....love it......love it |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I think someone should dare Ron more often if that's what it takes to get him posting! *G* This is great, Ron... I enjoyed every word of a splendidly woven tale. I'll have to admit that the title didn't scare me... you'd have to be masochistic to give us any warning if you did decide to pull the plug... we'd be howling outside your door! LOL I suspect a certain cowboy poet is going to love your new smilie... can't wait till he comes back to claim it! LOL. |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
ROFL!! Dare well met, with a bunch of laughter too. What a vision!You have to come out and play more! Enjoyed this one Ron, and certainly could have used the laugh. LOL ~thanks~ |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I have to agree with Temptress, I first saw the name and wondered if it was you, and by golly it was! What a great yarn, and it was great fun seeing you in print! Yee Haw!! ~*~ I write ~ Therefore I am ~*~ |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
ROTFLMAO!!!!! I even like the rhyme heh  K |
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RLS106 New Member
since 2001-03-31
Posts 7TX, U.S. A. |
Big Grin - that peice has the gift of a great wordsmith, here in texas too, behind it. I think I'v see those three ride in for sure some where out there. (c) RLS 1975-2001,ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
This is such a fantastic poem... Already read this one three times and am sure will be back for more... Great!!! regards, Sudhir |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Rumor has it those three bad'ns are on the loose... They'll likely come & go before you know what hitcha...   [This message has been edited by Nan (edited 05-31-2001).] |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Whew...I saw this title and got a bit worried Glad to read the poem and see it was just that |
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Krawdad Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597 |
This was fun, Ron! Thanks. |
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