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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).]

skyshine

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

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!