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Open Poetry #4
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In Haunting Notes (A Cowboy Ballad)
| Open Poetry #4 |
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In Haunting Notes (A Cowboy Ballad) |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA 
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(This is by far the longest poem I have ever written and I do appologize for the length, but please bare with it, I do not think you will be dissapointed....Thanks  )In Haunting Notes (A Cowboy Ballad) It was a brisk November night When I rode into that town Saddle sore and weary Looking only to bed down My clothes were dark with trail dirt My chaps were wearing thin The wind was blowing from the east Cutting to my skin Every hoof fall kicked up dust On that quiet, darkened street Where I hitched up, near the saloon To get a bite to eat My boot heels struck upon the wood Sounds echoed in the night The streets were bare and silent There was not a soul in sight Soft orange light reflected out Casting shadows on the ground And from the depths of that saloon I heard a haunting sound A voice so soft and tender Was carried out to me The notes she sang so tantalizing I simply had to see I entered through the swinging doors And saw her standing there Dress of red and deep blue eyes Framed with auburn hair She looked at me and flashed a smile That lit up her whole face I wondered what a girl like that Was doing in this place I bellied right up to the bar Ordered up a drink Captured in the spell she cast I found it hard to think Her eyes caught mine across the room I couldn’t look away And when she finished her last song She turned and came my way “Hey there cowboy, you look like You’re lonely and bone tired And to tell the truth, a girl like me Likes to be admired I got myself a room upstairs In this crazy one horse town I’ve got a bed just right for two Where you’re welcome to bed down” She smiled once more, I couldn’t speak She reached to take my arm Led me to her room upstairs Captivated by her charm “Welcome to my home, “ she said As she opened up the door The room was dark, a single lamp Cast shadows on the floor She led me to the bed and stood Before me in the night Slipped her clothes off, piece by piece Body framed in the dim light Each sensual curve was accented As she stood before me there I reached to pull her in towards me Hands running through her hair A chain of gold graced her fair neck From which a locket dangled She climbed in bed, right next to me Our bodies soon entangled We loved and talked all through the night I drifted off before the dawn And in the early morning hours I woke to find her gone Hazy light was filtered in Through a window marred with dust Next to me, lay on the bed The locket dull with rust I picked it up and opened it Where much to my surprise I found a picture old and worn That made me doubt my eyes The picture was in black and white It bore the test of time But the face that I saw captured there Was no one else but mine I had to find her, had to know What this was all about Threw my clothes on in a rush And from the room ran out I took the steps two at a time I had to find that girl But what I saw, there at the bottom Caused my head to swirl The saloon lay quiet and empty Silence filled the air Old broken bottles littered the bar Not a single soul was there Tables and chairs were brown with rot Dust coated all with white But what I saw when I looked down Was the most unnerving sight The floor lay thick encased in sand That had blown in through the door Disturbed by just my set of prints Where we’d walked the night before I ran outside to only find The town stood in decay I jumped onto my waiting horse And quickly rode away Years have passed, since that cold night In that quiet, darkened town Now on my mantle, the locket rests And some nights I’ll take it down I open it to see my face In a picture from the past I’ve questions I can’t answer With no one that I can ask Sometimes at night, she calls to me From somewhere in my dreams And I simply must remind myself All is never what it seems So cowboy if you find yourself On the trail some cold , dark night And run into a quiet town Where something seems not right Beware the girl with auburn hair And the mesmerizing voice Saddle up and ride away While you still have a choice She haunts the town, still in search Of a love lost long ago And once you’re captured in her spell She will not let you go Mark my words, I see her face Bathed in that dim light Where in my dreams, she haunts me still Every single night "When you come to the edge of the light which is all you know. And are about to step off into the darkness that is unknown...Faith is knowing one of two things will happen...there will be something to stand on...or you will learn how to fly." -Unknown Dear God...please give me wings! [This message has been edited by hoot_owl_rn (edited 12-06-1999).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Enjoyed very much. Well done. |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Dearest Hoot, your opinion of the length I'd have to refute. You caught me up and took me along the mysterious path of this mistress of song. The auburn-haired beauty who stalks the bars, frequented by cowboys who have ridden too far. What a wonderful tale to keep in my pocket ... the siren of the auburn-haired songstress and her mystery locket. Give us MORE ! I have read almost everything you've written since I started frequenting this joint. This is a WINNER .... get my point? Absolutely your BEST ! And I mean it ! ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Mike...thank you for reading and for your comment Marge...Smiling, thank you for the poem I believe the sheer length of this one has scared all away. Thanks for taking the time to read it and even more for commenting in such a nice way. I am flattered |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Hey, Hoot, this is an excellent ballad! I guess old Gunslinger and I can just pack up and ride outta town cause there's a new top gun in town. Seriously, you did very well and I enjoyed the story very much. If you would like to get further into it, I am available. |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Ruth. This is a masterpiece. No - things are seldom what they at first seem. I am very proud of you for this. Excellent, excellent my friend. K |
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First__Knight Senior Member
since 1999-11-08
Posts 678 |
My words hardly do this justice Hoot. But I was taken down to that quiet town and I believe we all lived it just as you wrote it. I see that you have alburn hair.....Humm where were you that night. Share what you are for you are what you share |
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Soleil Member
since 1999-06-12
Posts 113 |
Loved it, length and all! |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
First Night...I plead the fifth. Thanks for your comment Soleil, balladeer and Severn....thank you all |
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Tara Simms Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244Honea Path, SC USA |
Absolutely beautiful, Ruth! I loved the tale. Reminded me of the movie with Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour. It matters not how strait the gate; How charged with punishments the scroll; I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. --W.E. Henley |
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caroline Senior Member
since 1999-08-16
Posts 1218http://members.xoom.com/belladona123/index.htm |
Indeed, Tara...I thought of that movie too! "Somewhere In Time" its called. A different era, but Hoot, your poem would make a great movie too! I love it!!! And I thought the length just perfect for the flow and suspense of the tale. Brava, my dear!  It's not the love you fear, but the fall from the height~Edwin McCain |
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Eloise Senior Member
since 1999-11-27
Posts 1096Wyoming |
What a powerful piece Hoot. I was intrigued every step of the way. Excellent. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
What a fascinating tale, Ruth! Long? Was it? Didn't seem so! I loved every word! Well done! Denise |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Tara, caroline, Eliose and Denise...thank you all for taking the time to read this and for commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed it and din't mind the length. I could not think of another way to tell this tale and make it any shorter. I will have to check out the movie you mentioned as I have yet to see it. |
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