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Open Poetry #19
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Tim
Senior Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 1794


0 posted 2002-03-09 12:24 PM


The Chisholm Trail is three states long,
It's rivers wide with currents strong,
Ridin' drag from dawn's first light,
Eatin' dust 'til come of night.

Then one last mile to Abilene,
The purtiest sight I'd ever seen,
Rode into town with setting sun,
With whoop and holler, my ride was done.

I got my pay, walked down the street,
To find a drink, no time to eat,
Through swinging doors, up to the bar,
Surveyed the room for silver star.

Off to my right a faded rose
Looked up and down my dusty clothes,
"You with the herd?" the woman said,
I answered, "Yep," with nod of head.

Off to my side a stranger rough,
Snarled "Cowboys stink, you ain't so tough."
I took a drink of rot-gut whiskey,
Said to the stranger, "That's kind of risky."

"If I were you, I'd apologize,"
As stared into his drunken eyes.
The gol-durned fool, he made a play,
Reached for his gun, what can I say.

It might of been that he was quicker,
Except perhaps, but for the liquor,
Shots rang out, he hit the floor,
He wasn't talkin' anymore.

As I sat in Hickock's jail,
I wished I'd been back on the trail,
Eatin' dust 'neath blazin sun,
But I had shot the mayor's son.

No need for trial, I had no friend,
In Abilene  at long trail's end.
Long horn cattle are mighty mean,
But not as mean, as Abilene.

Out on the plains, the coyotes sung,
Next day I died, when I was hung,
I heard the call of boot hill’s beckon,
And that’s my tale, I’m done I reckon.

[This message has been edited by Tim (03-09-2002 02:11 PM).]

© Copyright 2002 Tim - All Rights Reserved
skyshine
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Member Elite
since 2002-02-07
Posts 3058
Beneath the northern stars
1 posted 2002-03-09 01:30 PM


This is a very powerful poem. Life can hand us a cruel fate just like that.

sky

Mistletoe Angel
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Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
2 posted 2002-03-09 02:02 PM




(big hugggsssssss) Wow, this is such a wonderful portrayal of wild western life in the past, sweet friend, I couldn't help but cry thinking of this fate that cruelly hurt many! (sigh) This is excellent, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Tim, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Zinsser
Senior Member
since 2001-02-27
Posts 1641
Calif.
3 posted 2002-03-09 02:22 PM


This is tooo cool  : )
  enjoyed

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
4 posted 2002-03-09 02:23 PM



Very good!  You and my boss would get along fine!

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
5 posted 2002-03-11 07:42 AM


I reckon you'd best NOT be done... Your thematic pieces are wonderful.. More, please?..
Accordionmaid
Member
since 2001-10-28
Posts 153
MA/USA
6 posted 2002-03-11 09:56 AM


Sad, indeed...but, nicely told tale.
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