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Open Poetry #6
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John Yaws
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860
Texas

0 posted 2000-03-29 03:43 AM


The clash o’ steel, an’ labored breath-
The stench o’ fear, the smell o’ death-
For wha’, I ask ye? Land an’ fame?
Or in defense o’ some fair name?
Nay, lad, ‘tis for the feel o’ gold…
So ‘ard to get, then ‘ard to hold.
Wha’ called we Scots to foreign fields-
To pay our way, wi’ steel, cold steel.
I mind the time we fought in France-
Them froggies sure could skip an’ dance
An epee, I believe it’s called-
Or rapier? They be toys all!
They’s somethin’ ‘bout a claymore’s swing-
A hefty blade…ah, ‘ear ‘er sing!
An’ just the thing to cut through mail-
I’ve never known ‘er once to fail.
I mind the time, Long Tom an’ me…
Were in a glade, a fixin’ tea-
A score o’ troops should ‘appen by-
I looks at Tom, an’ catched ‘is eye…
“Why, Tom, Old sport.. a lovely day-
for men o’ war to sport an’ play!
“E said, “Too right”! an’ drew ‘is blade..
An’ in amongst ‘em we did wade.
Surprised was they? Why, I should smile!
Their archers arrows all flew wild…
They tried to stand, bu’ not fer long!
They could na stand our claymore’s song.
Ah, Tom! ‘e were a fightin’ man!
An’ never slow to lend a hand…
I ‘eard ‘im laugh, an’ seen ‘im cry…
An’ ‘eld ‘is ‘ead an’ watched ‘im die.
I’ve seen ‘em come, an’ watched ‘em go-
As age an’ blade di’ lay ‘em low-
Ah, in the East it’s growin’ pale…
I guess I’ll end me Traveler’s Tale.


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[This message has been edited by Gunslinger (edited 03-29-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
1 posted 2000-03-29 08:14 AM


Another tale that sounds like music. Perfect meter every time. You fill the mind with pictures that captivate
Liz

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
2 posted 2000-03-29 04:54 PM


An interesting story gunslinger..so tell me did long tom die when all those arrows flew or did he duck just like you?  James
CherylLynnMckee
Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 215

3 posted 2000-03-29 05:03 PM


Wow..great poem..perfectly rhymed.

 

Mike
Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462

4 posted 2000-03-29 06:48 PM


*Applause*
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

5 posted 2000-03-29 06:53 PM


Entertaining and captivating, as always!

Denise

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
6 posted 2000-03-30 11:27 PM


What a traveler's tale it was! Flowed very nicely, but then again all your stuff does  
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