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Open Poetry #9
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The Shady Side Saloon on the Riverboat Belle [repost to Local Rebel's Challenge]
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Open Poetry #9
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The Shady Side Saloon on the Riverboat Belle [repost to Local Rebel's Challenge]
| Open Poetry #9 |
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The Shady Side Saloon on the Riverboat Belle [repost to Local Rebel's Challenge] |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
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The Shady Side Saloon on the Riverboat Belle In those days of the olden, golden west Where law was fair and women the best Came the gambler, Black Jake, into St. Louis town Looking for faro or any good game around. The Riverboat Belle was in harbor ready For a trip up the ‘Sippi, and she looked steady So Black Jake thought this venture he’d take And boarded the boat, a gambler with gold stake. Dark and swarthy with mustachioed grin. he’d charm his way as he swaggered on in, all the pretty girls in their clothes of silk looked down on him; ‘twas none of their ilk. ‘Cept for Bessie, she smiled at him with charming song and the gambler Jake, gazed as if to heaven he’d gone for her beauty surpassed the others by far and to him she became his love, a shining star. He sidled up to the oak bar quick as a snake And in hushed voice, a bit quivering he quaked “Miss Bessie, I’d have you in a minute I trust, but first ‘twould make my fortune, before I may lust!” Bessie dimpled, she beamed, she took his arm, and Black Jake, overcome with her charm followed her willfully as the tables cleared While the saloon girls all hollered and cheered. “Why BJ,” Bessie simpered, smiling all the while “why don’t you play cards with me?” she said with some guile. And Black Jake, aghast at a woman so fair let his lean body relax in the solid oak chair. “Why Bessie, m’love, don’t you think you should just watch over and give me luck? Are there any real men here who would like to quick lose a buck?” Would-be gamblers gathered on in To see which way their luck would spin. Whether big or small, no matter the pot they wanted to take back what Black Jake just got. The riverboat started its trip up the river, All the gamblers had boarded from shore. Black Jake the master set Bessie’s heart aquiver While the bartender shut the Shady Side door. “Deal!” barked Black Jake in a masterful tone, the cards were shuffled, and in his smile a gold tooth shone, “Play!” he commanded, as if the commander were he, and the game progressed smoothly, with Bess on his knee. Time passed on, hazy smoke filled the air, Black Jake never left the seat of his chair. Bessie whispered sweet things in his right ear And up to his chest he pulled all his winnings right near. On the riverboat there were some everfast rules Two of them being, no cheating or fools were allowed, for there was no dirt or saloon door To throw the wayward ones out into, not even the shore. The Commander he didn’t care for the faro game But he kept all of the rules fair, just the same. It grieved him to see Bess on Black Jake’s knee But that wasn’t a rule to be broke, so to the bow went he. The game went without incident ‘til nearly three in the ‘morn Most of the gamblers looked weary, but Black Jake wasn’t worn. “Ah, Bessie, my sweet, my winnings are somewhat fair, so I ask you, is it for me and my love that you really care?” Bessie parted her pouty, red rose lips And placed her hand upon her wide hip “Ah, BJ, my love, ‘tis you for me, come to my room, I’ve a garter for thee.” And thus the game was called for good reason Black Jake left with Bess among some mild teasin’, as the rules on the Riverboat Belle in the Shady Side Saloon said all winners must leave their cash with Bess before noon. 09 Aug 99 ©KRJ |
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| © Copyright 2000 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
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ladysixstring Member
since 2000-07-27
Posts 374 |
You did so good!! Great story!! -jaimie Website: www.ladysixstring.com |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
I love a good western....and I was raised on that river.... hmmmm... got a few stories left in me... Thanks for playing sunshine.... the readers are the winners.... great job!!! |
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Sunnyone Member Ascendant
since 2000-07-06
Posts 5334Staffordshire, England |
Now, there is nothing better than a good ol' Western story, and this you wrote splendidly!!! I so admire your versatility, and had a lot of fun reading this one!! Today is a gift.... That is why they call it 'the Present'! |
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juliet_2u Senior Member
since 2000-07-23
Posts 1125North Carolina |
Woohoo gotta love this. Let's here it for the girls! Juls |
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ggrn3 Member
since 2000-08-17
Posts 433Nahunta Georgia U.S. |
Sunshine,  It looks like you broke a sweat w/ this one. Boy I can't believe you wrote a poem that told a short story. What talent. I can't stop saying WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!  Garfield |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
WONDERFUL.... ANTE OR NOT... THIS IS TERRIFIC Welcome to the best hands in the game... welcome to the fastest accepted, most popular challenge at passions... regards, sudhir |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Like some of us 'round here, this is an oldie...and apparently now that it fits a challenge, a goodie! Thank you all! |
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Mark Bohannan Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269In the winds of Cherokee song |
yyyyeeeeeehhhhaaaawwwwwwwwwww....no ante needed for this sweet piece. You know this cowboy is happy. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Very enjoyable and well done poem, Sunshine... |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Very enjoyable poem/piece/story/challenge kick-butt. jwesley |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Had to come back for the Black Jack... oops Blake Jake...  regards, sudhir |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Mark, do you yodel? Martie, jwesley, Sudhir...thank you for checking in, leave your sidearms at the door, the roulette wheel is awaiting your pleasures... |
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Open Poetry #9
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The Shady Side Saloon on the Riverboat Belle [repost to Local Rebel's Challenge]
