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Open Poetry #17
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I'll Never Hang
| Open Poetry #17 |
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I'll Never Hang |
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John Yaws Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860Texas 
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Ten days in the saddle, will make you mighty sore- I had ten days behind me, and another ten before. I robbed a bank in Dallas, and a stage near San Antone, I’m riding for El Paso, for down south my face is known. The Llano Estacado lies off somewhere to the North- Down here it’s mostly desert, and the land of little worth. They’ll hang me if they catch me, and let them if they can- But I will go down fighting, with a pistol in my hand. I used to ride with Shelby, in sixty-three and four- Hood was our Commander, in that misbegotten war. I came back home to Texas, in the Reconstruction days, And robbery, I quickly found, was the only game that pays. Then I was young angry, now I am old and sad- Raised to be a Christian, but hard knocks have turned me bad. They say I’ve killed a dozen men, I really do not know- It’s not a thing to make you proud, I found out long ago. I rode into San Angelo, the day was hot and dry- The blazing sun had long ago, burned each cloud from the sky- I walked into the Bit and Spur, to have a cooling drink- To find a corner table, and take some time to think. Old Red, the barkeep, saw me, and then I saw him frown- He quietly walked up to me, said, “A Ranger just hit town!” Lord, how I hate those Rangers, they’re worse than any hound- They’ll dog your trail until they drop, or you are in the ground. I thought, “I’d better ride away. And make cold camp tonight. I have to make it to Juarez, I dare not stay and fight.” I stepped out through the batwings, when I heard a cold voice say, “Slowly drop your gunbelt, for you cannot get away!” A thousand thoughts and feelings, were flooding through my mind, I knew it was the Ranger, who was standing close behind… I longed to grab the bridle reins, and mount my horse and run, But I knew the voice’s owner, had me covered with his gun. I thought about it briefly, and I knew I had to try- My hand dropped to my holster, as I spun around to die… I felt his bullets hit me, and I thought it mighty strange- To feel so cold, here in this heat. At least I’ll never hang. |
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| © Copyright 2001 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
I thought about it briefly, and I knew I had to try- My hand dropped to my holster, as I spun around to die… I felt his bullets hit me, and I thought it mighty strange- To feel so cold, here in this heat. At least I’ll never hang. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Great writing here John! You pull the reader in right from the get go, and then a very strong ending to boot! Love it!! ~hugs, Nancy~ ~Time has cast a spell on you, |
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Startime Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918Canada |
STANDING OVATION!!!!!!Your words capture the imagination and hold it spellbound.....*sigh* I love it.  Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams. |
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