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Open Poetry #4
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My Last Draw
| Open Poetry #4 |
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My Last Draw |
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John Yaws Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860Texas 
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MY LAST DRAW When I rolled into Oakdale In 1981 One step ahead of poverty- with no place left to run A beat-up Chevy pickup- Bald tires and empty tank A hundred dollars overdrawn In a small town Texas bank. I was crowding thirty closely- And let me tell you, Pard That after you turn twenty Each passing year is hard. For rodeo is for the kids- It makes an old man fast, I told my wife the last five years Each one would be my last. It looked good year before last- The Finals looked so sure- Till a bull down in Ft. Stockton my lofty visions cured. I rode the first two cleanly then hung up in the well By the time they got me loose from him I was hurt bad I could tell. Last year it was a repeat- Right into the fall... I drew good stock, at every show I darn near rode them all. Then there in Salt Lake City a saddle bronc did rear- And pin me to the chute gate- My heart was filled with fear. A broken pelvis finished- The season for this lad, My wife said I would have no luck If it wasn't for the bad. My draw up here in Oakdale A bull they call Old Blue He's double rank to spin on you And he's a fighter too. I rosin up my rigging, And knot and tie my glove- I'm gettin' old and stiff for- The kind of life I love. I drop my rig on dark gray hide- And settle down inside- A stranger helps me pull my rope And ready for my ride. I nod and dig my spurs in The bull seems to explode- I've never felt such fury in all the ones I've rode. The devil comes out spinning- I'm sitting on my hand I feel I'm sitting pretty Midst the cheering from the stands. He swaps directions on me- In no time I can tell- I'm gonna lose the battle- As I slide off in the well. The clowns are trying bravely To free my leather fist The terror runs all through me To get caught up like this. I'm free, but, no he's turning I see his blazing eyes- And feel the horn go in me- And tear me up inside. It doesn't hurt to my surprise- But blood is pouring out, I start to say I'm alright- Then it gushes from my mouth. I look up at the blazing sun- If I have got to go- I couldn't pick a better way Than at the rodeo. ------------------ Live large, people! ~GS~ http://www.geocities.com/montcogunslinger/HomePage.html |
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| © Copyright 1999 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved | |||
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danni Senior Member
since 1999-11-20
Posts 688wisconsin |
Incredible poem. The ending kind of blew my mind. I wasn't expecting that. You're right, what better way to go, than doing what yoou love. |
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Dusk Treader
Moderator
Senior Member
since 1999-06-18
Posts 1187St. Paul, MN |
This was great, the ending kind of jumped at me too, but it seems a satisfying way to finish this piece, liked it much! ------------------ "'Cause there's a hunger, a longing to escape, from the life I live when I'm awake" - Creed - "Higher" |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Oh my.....tragic  |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
I can't imagine you getting beat. Nobody shoots the bull like you with your dazzling yarns. They are addicting. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Yes, you do spin a fine yarn! Always captivating!  ------------------ Denise |
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femtastic Junior Member
since 1999-11-27
Posts 17Walla Walla, WA, USA |
If I were to die Id love to die doing something I loved. Happy this person got to... in my case it be similar.. with horses or friend:-) At least he can say he has no regrets about his last day |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Addicting these are! I love to read them. This was quite intense. Edge of your seat kinda stuff. ------------------ <*\\\>< |
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