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Open Poetry #9
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2000-08-23 09:40 AM


The Shady Side Saloon on the Riverboat Belle

In those days of the olden, golden west
Where law was fair and women the best
Came the gambler, Black Jake, into St. Louis town
Looking for faro or any good game around.

The Riverboat Belle was in harbor ready
For a trip up the ‘Sippi, and she looked steady
So Black Jake thought this venture he’d take
And boarded the boat, a gambler with gold stake.

Dark and swarthy with mustachioed grin.
he’d charm his way as he swaggered on in,
all the pretty girls in their clothes of silk
looked down on him; ‘twas none of their ilk.

‘Cept for Bessie, she smiled at him with charming song
and the gambler Jake, gazed as if to heaven he’d gone
for her beauty surpassed the others by far
and to him she became his love, a shining star.

He sidled up to the oak bar quick as a snake
And in hushed voice, a bit quivering he quaked
“Miss Bessie, I’d have you in a minute I trust,
but first ‘twould make my fortune, before I may lust!”

Bessie dimpled, she beamed, she took his arm,
and Black Jake, overcome with her charm
followed her willfully as the tables cleared
While the saloon girls all hollered and cheered.

“Why BJ,” Bessie simpered, smiling all the while
“why don’t you play cards with me?” she said with some guile.
And Black Jake, aghast at a woman so fair
let his lean body relax in the solid oak chair.

“Why Bessie, m’love, don’t you think you
should just watch over and give me luck?
Are there any real men here
who would like to quick lose a buck?”

Would-be gamblers gathered on in
To see which way their luck would spin.
Whether big or small, no matter the pot
they wanted to take back what Black Jake just got.

The riverboat started its trip up the river,
All the gamblers had boarded from shore.
Black Jake the master set Bessie’s heart aquiver
While the bartender shut the Shady Side door.

“Deal!” barked Black Jake in a masterful tone,
the cards were shuffled, and in his smile a gold tooth shone,
“Play!” he commanded, as if the commander were he,
and the game progressed smoothly, with Bess on his knee.

Time passed on, hazy smoke filled the air,
Black Jake never left the seat of his chair.
Bessie whispered sweet things in his right ear
And up to his chest he pulled all his winnings right near.

On the riverboat there were some everfast rules
Two of them being, no cheating or fools
were allowed, for there was no dirt or saloon door
To throw the wayward ones out into, not even the shore.

The Commander he didn’t care for the faro game
But he kept all of the rules fair, just the same.
It grieved him to see Bess on Black Jake’s knee
But that wasn’t a rule to be broke, so to the bow went he.

The game went without incident ‘til nearly three in the ‘morn
Most of the gamblers looked weary, but Black Jake wasn’t worn.
“Ah, Bessie, my sweet, my winnings are somewhat fair,
so I ask you, is it for me and my love that you really care?”

Bessie parted her pouty, red rose lips
And placed her hand upon her wide hip
“Ah, BJ, my love, ‘tis you for me,
come to my room, I’ve a garter for thee.”

And thus the game was called for good reason
Black Jake left with Bess among some mild teasin’,
as the rules on the Riverboat Belle in the Shady Side Saloon
said all winners must leave their cash with Bess before noon.

09 Aug 99
©KRJ



© Copyright 2000 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved
ladysixstring
Member
since 2000-07-27
Posts 374

1 posted 2000-08-23 09:45 AM


You did so good!! Great story!!

-jaimie

Website: www.ladysixstring.com

Local Rebel
Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767
Southern Abstentia
2 posted 2000-08-23 09:53 AM


I love a good western....and I was raised on that river.... hmmmm... got a few stories left in me...

Thanks for playing sunshine.... the readers are the winners.... great job!!!

Sunnyone
Member Ascendant
since 2000-07-06
Posts 5334
Staffordshire, England
3 posted 2000-08-23 09:56 AM



Now, there is nothing better than a good ol' Western story, and this you wrote splendidly!!!
        I so admire your versatility, and had a lot of fun reading this one!!


Today is a gift....
That is why they call it
'the Present'!



juliet_2u
Senior Member
since 2000-07-23
Posts 1125
North Carolina
4 posted 2000-08-23 09:58 AM


Woohoo gotta love this. Let's here it for the girls!
Juls

ggrn3
Member
since 2000-08-17
Posts 433
Nahunta Georgia U.S.
5 posted 2000-08-23 10:20 AM


Sunshine,
  It looks like you broke a sweat w/ this one.  Boy I can't believe you wrote a poem that told a short story.  What talent.  I can't stop saying WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!  

Garfield

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
6 posted 2000-08-23 10:37 AM


WONDERFUL.... ANTE OR NOT... THIS IS TERRIFIC

Welcome to the best hands in the game... welcome to the fastest accepted, most popular challenge at passions...

regards,
sudhir

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
7 posted 2000-08-23 12:10 PM


Like some of us 'round here, this is an oldie...and apparently now that it fits a challenge, a goodie!  Thank you all!
Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
8 posted 2000-08-23 02:13 PM


yyyyeeeeeehhhhaaaawwwwwwwwwww....no ante needed for this sweet piece.  You know this cowboy is happy.
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
9 posted 2000-08-23 02:37 PM


Very enjoyable and well done poem, Sunshine...
jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
10 posted 2000-08-23 02:39 PM


Very enjoyable poem/piece/story/challenge kick-butt.

jwesley

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
11 posted 2000-08-23 02:47 PM


Had to come back for the Black Jack... oops Blake Jake...  

regards,
sudhir

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
12 posted 2000-08-23 03:33 PM


Mark, do you yodel?

Martie, jwesley, Sudhir...thank you for checking in, leave your sidearms at the door, the roulette wheel is awaiting your pleasures...


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