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Open Poetry #17
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John Yaws
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860
Texas

0 posted 2001-12-20 01:03 AM



I stood in that adobe-
With a pistol in my hand...
At my feet the skeleton
That used to be a man.

In the dust, a rusty six-gun-
Among the finger bones...
Left the testimony,
That he did not die alone.

The cloth which lay in tatters-
Once had been his clothes...
A dried and cracking gun rig-
His name nobody knows.

There beneath the ribcage-
That served as prison bars...
I saw the tarnished silver,
Of a Texas Ranger star.

I thought, "You played your hand out-
This is the place you fell,
No doubt you slew an honor guard,
To escort you to Hell.

A warrior, aye, a fighting man-
Who died here all alone.
And all the monument you want,
Or need, is in these bones!"

I took my hat off briefly-
Piled some stones before the door...
And rode away and left him-
Just the way he was before.

And if there be an epitaph-
This is what I'd say...
"When I die, just let me lie...
The way the Ranger lay!"

© Copyright 2001 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved
SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
1 posted 2001-12-20 01:07 AM


*clapping hands wildly* excellent...will have to print this for my dad
Soleil Noir
Senior Member
since 2001-12-19
Posts 688
USA
2 posted 2001-12-20 10:41 AM



I have a dear friend who
would enjoy this bit of
poetry, thank you for
allowing us to share
these timeless words.

Opeth
Senior Member
since 2001-12-13
Posts 1543
The Ravines
3 posted 2001-12-20 10:44 AM


The rhyming and rhythm was flawless. The story told was interesting and well expressed. I enjoyed this.
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
4 posted 2001-12-20 11:44 AM


John,
Enjoyed, this an excellent write.

Magnus
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
5 posted 2001-12-20 09:13 PM


John...yep...wish it could be that way...

Excellent write...thanx much for it..

DarkAngelChelle
Member
since 2001-12-06
Posts 87
Kansas
6 posted 2001-12-20 09:14 PM


Woohoo!  Excellent flow, rhythm, and rhyme.  I enjoyed this immensely.  Thanks!

~What is cherished most is what must be the hardest fought for.~

Startime
Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918
Canada
7 posted 2001-12-20 09:20 PM


A warrior, strong and bold
who tried to keep the law
Tale in bones now unfolds
from what tired eyes saw

BRAVO!!!STANDING OVATION!!!Magnificent. I love this poem John. **hugs**

Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams.

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
8 posted 2001-12-21 10:45 PM


Excellent writing John...James
ecrivan
Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923
my own state
9 posted 2001-12-21 11:36 PM


Thought proking too, how you got the imagination is one thing but how you spun this interesting tale of bravery is another..bravo!

[This message has been edited by ecrivan (12-21-2001 11:39 PM).]

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