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Open Poetry #15
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John Yaws
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860
Texas

0 posted 2001-07-17 12:17 PM



I ride in with the daybreak,
And leave with setting sun...
Too long I've earned my living -
By my prowess with a gun.

They've called me Range Detective,
Town Marshall, Deputy...
But when my back is turned,
That isn't what they say of me.

They say that I'm a killer...
In a way I guess that's true-
I haven't killed all that they claim,
But I have killed a few.

Dodge City, Hayes, and Ellsworth-
Mobeetie, Santa Fe-
And a dozen other whistle-stops,
I've tamed along the way.

I ride the lonely back trails-
Where seldom man is seen.
And think oft of my childhood,
And it's faded, broken dreams.

Nearly fifty years of living-
Made me cynical they say-
Too often I'm referred to-
As the "killer on the bay".

A killer? Maybe that's the truth-
But still I am a man.
With dreams of home, and family,
A little piece of land...

But with my reputation-
I guess it's plain to see,
The only ground I'll ever own-
Will measure six by three.

© Copyright 2001 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved
MARK V SHELDON
Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 3015
In a corporeal internship...
1 posted 2001-07-17 12:49 PM


Powerful stuff, John.  I always enjoy your flow and descriptions, and they still stir my thoughts after the read.  Good work.

-MVS

"When you tell the Truth, you never have to remember what you just said."
--Del Casher

Lighthousebob
Member Elite
since 2000-06-14
Posts 4725
California
2 posted 2001-07-18 05:50 PM


Very imaginary writing.  Again, I enjoyed reading your story about the gunslinger and the ending of this poem was great.
Trillium
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
3 posted 2001-07-18 06:45 PM


Terrific story!  Sure is a lonesome life though.

Betty Lou Hebert

wandering glider
Senior Member
since 2001-04-04
Posts 501
aloft
4 posted 2001-07-18 06:56 PM


Nice riding tale!
          
      

       \\
~=====}:
       //

inot2B
Member Elite
since 2000-09-18
Posts 2205
Arkansas
5 posted 2001-07-19 08:56 AM


Dirty work but somebody's got to keep us safe. Enjoyed!
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