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Open Poetry #23
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Dead Man's Hand
| Open Poetry #23 |
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Dead Man's Hand |
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kayjay Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015Oregon |
Dead Man’s Hand The sun blazed down on the raucous town in the Black Hills of Dakota When times were tough and men were rough and fought the fierce Lakotah. Where gold was found in stream or ground, there a came a breed of man That carried a gun and fought in the sun as only some men can. Its kinda funny how mining money will build a town like Deadwood But men did rue as gold dust flew and sometimes surely lead would. This August day would have its say in the fortunes of this cast. A gun will sound while echos rebound, a man will breathe his last. Mid laughs and joys one heard the noise from the Number 10 Saloon. It was the best found in the West if you wanted to hoot at the moon. While dust was frisky being traded for whiskey, no one knew of the fray. The cards were shuffled, but the sound was muffled with the clatter, so they say. A man at the bar was smoking a cigar the while they sat at play While tobacco was spit, they found the grit to make each other pay. These gents were hard, they wanted the card to help them win the pot. But lead would fly fore day went dry. And one man would be shot. The game was stud, it’s never a dud for those with a gambling lust. They could break the bank, have all to thank or maybe they’ll go bust. But a low mean skunk who was totally drunk stood watching you could tell. He had a grudge and wouldn’t budge ‘til he’d sent his man to hell. The man named Bill sat very still as he gathered in his cards. An Ace, then an eight was his fate, the cattle lowed from the yards. He checked his hand and made his stand, putting cash upon the line. He leaned in his chair, the pot was there and he was feeling fine. There came the cards to beat his pards; two pair Aces high. No one has told of his other hold, the fifth card that would fly Onto the table while this fable grew old and somewhat tanned. But Aces and eights begat the fates; ‘tis known as the dead man’s hand. “You killed my brother, ‘twas no other” yelled out Jack McCall His fury raged, he felt uncaged as he watched the man fall. He shot in the head and the man fell dead, with nary a twitch or rock It was death he meant in that canvas tent. In the dirt lay Bill Hickok |
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| © Copyright 2002 Ken Julkowski - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
The wild old west was certainly that. Things haven't really changed all that much when you think about it. I enjoyed this very much, kayjay! |
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
Bravo!! Excellent in style, in cleverness, in technique...10 all the way! ThisDiamond |
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garysgirl  
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
 BRAVO !!!!! I feel like I've just watched an old western in my mind. This was simply MARVELOUS.  "Love makes the world go around" |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Ken...YOU are a very gifted writer m'friend! And...this is a very fine example of such! Fantastic write and I much enjoyed the read! ~Hugs & smiles, Nancy~ |
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Ethan Halo Senior Member
since 2000-04-28
Posts 793on the roof again |
you captured the western ballad and the dead man's hand wonderfully. five card stud is dangerous business, and aces and eights a frightful hand. i'll stick to hold 'em.  loved this! into the library! it's our struggle for identity that leaves us all unknown |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
BRAVO!!! Oh Ken, this is marvelous, sweet friend, I love them old westerns, Clint Eastwood is just marvelous and is still alive and kickin'! (big hugggssssss) This is fine poetic gunslinging, sweet friend, yay, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Ken, thank you for sharing!  May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..." |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
great title! a fine ballad here! perfect meter & cadence. excellent storytelling i give you a gold star this should be a song is it? i would love to put this to music |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Excellent work here, kayjay. You took a difficult rhyme scheme and stayed true to it throughout the poem and you maintained the flavor of the story. He was told neve to sit with his back to the door...shoulda listened, Bill.  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I have a friend who is an avid wordsmith and enjoys history... I think he will enjoy this, too... May I forward him a copy? |
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