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Open Poetry #17
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John Yaws
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860
Texas

0 posted 2001-11-26 07:53 PM



Ten days in the saddle, will make you mighty sore-
I had ten days behind me, and another ten before.
I robbed a bank in Dallas, and a stage near San Antone,
I’m riding for El Paso, for down south my face is known.

The Llano Estacado lies off somewhere to the North-
Down here it’s mostly desert, and the land of little worth.
They’ll hang me if they catch me, and let them if they can-
But I will go down fighting, with a pistol in my hand.

I used to ride with Shelby, in sixty-three and four-
Hood was our Commander, in that misbegotten war.
I came back home to Texas, in the Reconstruction days,
And robbery, I quickly found, was the only game that pays.

Then I was young angry, now I am old and sad-
Raised to be a Christian, but hard knocks have turned me bad.
They say I’ve killed a dozen men, I really do not know-
It’s not a thing to make you proud, I found out long ago.

I rode into San Angelo, the day was hot and dry-
The blazing sun had long ago, burned each cloud from the sky-
I walked into the Bit and Spur, to have a cooling drink-
To find a corner table, and take some time to think.

Old Red, the barkeep, saw me, and then I saw him frown-
He quietly walked up to me, said, “A Ranger just hit town!”
Lord, how I hate those Rangers, they’re worse than any hound-
They’ll dog your trail until they drop, or you are in the ground.

I thought, “I’d better ride away. And make cold camp tonight.
I have to make it to Juarez, I dare not stay and fight.”
I stepped out through the batwings, when I heard a cold voice say,
“Slowly drop your gunbelt, for you cannot get away!”

A thousand thoughts and feelings, were flooding through my mind,
I knew it was the Ranger, who was standing close behind…
I longed to grab the bridle reins, and mount my horse and run,
But I knew the voice’s owner, had me covered with his gun.

I thought about it briefly, and I knew I had to try-
My hand dropped to my holster, as I spun around to die…
I felt his bullets hit me, and I thought it mighty strange-
To feel so cold, here in this heat. At least I’ll never hang.





© Copyright 2001 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
1 posted 2001-11-26 07:57 PM


I thought about it briefly, and I knew I had to try-
My hand dropped to my holster, as I spun around to die…
I felt his bullets hit me, and I thought it mighty strange-
To feel so cold, here in this heat. At least I’ll never hang.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Great writing here John!  You pull the reader in right from the get go, and then a very strong ending to boot!  Love it!!
~hugs, Nancy~

~Time has cast a spell on you,
  So you won't ever forget me~

Startime
Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918
Canada
2 posted 2001-11-26 08:07 PM


STANDING OVATION!!!!!!Your words capture the imagination and hold it spellbound.....*sigh* I love it.

Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams.

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