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Open Poetry #8
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Die By The Gun
| Open Poetry #8 |
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Die By The Gun |
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John Yaws Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860Texas 
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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).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Gossamerwings Member
since 2000-07-18
Posts 207 |
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 ;) |
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Saunni Senior Member
since 2000-07-11
Posts 1777West Virginia |
Oh that was too cool!!! I couldn't stop reading it! Sauni Sauni :) |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
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 |
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Butterflies_dont_cry Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733Michigan |
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~ |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
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 |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Excellent, John! Captivating read! Denise |
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SEA 
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
Gunslinger~ this is wonderful! My dad would really like this, I'll have to show it to him. -SEALive,Love,Laugh :) ~SueB |
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jefsand Junior Member
since 2000-07-15
Posts 18 |
Great story 'gunslinger'! Had to read it all the way to the end. jefsand |
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