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Open Poetry #8
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John Yaws
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860
Texas

0 posted 2000-07-20 11:47 PM


I was a drifter, a product of sagebrush and sand.
From the Texas Panhandle, clear down to the old Rio Grand’.
I wore a pistol like just about everyone did-
Cursed with a fast hand, like Bonnie, called “Billy the Kid”.

Punchin’ wild cattle before I had turned seventeen-
Wild in the saddle, loose women were this cowboy’s dream.
I wanted money, not thirty a month and my board,
And smart treasure hunters know just where the money is stored.

Down on the Pecos, I met a cowpuncher named Hank-
Older and reckless, he oft spoke of robbing a bank.
One day down in Alpine, we’d both had a whole lot to drink-
When whiskey is flowing, you oft act before you can think.

We told the teller, “Put all of the cash in the bag”-
What we couldn’t know, he was young and had oft made his brag…
No outlaw would rob his employer with him on the till,
He pulled a pistol, for me, it was kill or be killed.

The posse was stubborn, they trailed me for seventeen days.
I couldn’t lose them, I tried to in various ways.
Out on the prairie, my horse found a prairie dog hole-
I heard his leg snap, he pinned my leg when he rolled.

The posse surrounds me, out there ‘neath the hot Texas sun-
A rope, or a bullet? so I chose to go for my gun.
Out on the prairie, beneath a small mound of stones-
My bullet ripped body was buried to lie all alone.

There on a marker, they thoughtfully placed at my head-
They carved my epitaph, here is the way that it read-
“Here on the prairie he lays at the end of his run…
Proof if you live by one, likewise you’ll die by the gun”.

< !signature-->

Visit My Home Page http://www.geocities.com/montcogunslinger/Hompage.html




[This message has been edited by Gunslinger (edited 07-20-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved
Gossamerwings
Member
since 2000-07-18
Posts 207

1 posted 2000-07-21 02:30 AM


I like this ! Reminds me of those western movies as a kid. Thanks for the memories!

*that couldn't really have been me that wrote this...I ain't near old enough*

You could produce your own little books for about a dollar a piece and ...ah,never mind, you have probably been told that already!


Gossamerwings ;)

Saunni
Senior Member
since 2000-07-11
Posts 1777
West Virginia
2 posted 2000-07-21 04:29 AM


Oh that was too cool!!! I couldn't stop reading it!

Sauni


Sauni :)

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
3 posted 2000-07-21 05:52 AM


Fantastic poem gunslinger...and so many did die by the gun...I was thinking the other day that I would have loved to live in the days of the Gladiators...but then I thought again...I would have died by the sword way too soon...but wouldn't it have been so much fun...James
Butterflies_dont_cry
Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733
Michigan
4 posted 2000-07-21 06:59 AM


I've got to print this off for my dad,
he was a cowboy in a past life I'm sure  
This is awesome work......I enjoyed it VERY
much~

Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
5 posted 2000-07-21 07:10 AM


Bravo Gunslinger!  Think I'll go pull out a few good Clint Eastwood oldies now ... got the flavour for sure! Great writing, wonderful story!  

Best wishes,
/Kit

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

6 posted 2000-07-21 08:57 PM


Excellent, John! Captivating read!

Denise

SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
7 posted 2000-07-21 09:13 PM


Gunslinger~ this is wonderful!   My dad would really like this, I'll have to show it to him. -SEA

Live,Love,Laugh :) ~SueB



jefsand
Junior Member
since 2000-07-15
Posts 18

8 posted 2000-07-21 10:00 PM


Great story 'gunslinger'! Had to read it all the way to the end.

jefsand

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