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Open Poetry #29
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Gunslinger
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 901
TX, USA

0 posted 2003-10-21 12:10 PM



I swung down from my saddle,
Wrapped the reins around a limb...
Before I reached the body,
I just knew that it was Jim.

Sprawled face down in a meadow,
Just above Fort Phantom Hill.
The arrow through his kidneys,
Showed me just how he'd been killed.

The marking were Kwahadi-
Probably Nocona's band...
Or maybe Quanah Parker's-
They'd been raiding through this land.

He wasn't mutilated...
I'd seen a lot of awful sights,
By the respect that they had shown him,
I knew he'd made a valiant fight.

Of course they took his weapons-
I would have done the same,
So I dug a shallow grave,
And on a rock I scratched his name.

I guess I could have carried him,
On south to Abilene...
To be buried among strangers,
Among folks he'd never seen.

But I think that he would rather,
Rest out where he loved it best.
Just another faceless victim,
Of the wild and violent West.

© Copyright 2003 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved
JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
1 posted 2003-10-21 04:25 AM


Nice writing...James
dingusjr
Member
since 2003-09-24
Posts 415
Missouri
2 posted 2003-10-21 05:11 AM


I can smell the sage......taste that campfire coffee.   Thanks, Larry
Jason Lyle
Senior Member
since 2003-02-07
Posts 1438
With my darkling
3 posted 2003-10-21 05:33 AM


Good story telling, I enjoyed this.

Jason

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