Easy in the saddle his pony in control
trailing south to Mexico where cooling breezes blow.
A gringo pistolero aint never known a friend
his holsters filled with silver Colts and lightning in his hands
Ordained a solemn child of doom when men were hard as nails
driven by the devil winds his destination hell.
He held the line while blazing trail across the barren waste
where unsuspecting cowboys went crazy from the thirst.
He stalked the range a hired gun like eagles on the wing
chasing rope and rustle gangs for bounty they could bring.
Another time in Wagon Mound he drew his pistol first
a challenge to his mothers name a loser bit the dust.
He thinks about the gunnies and would be toughs he's seen
with calloused hands and fingernails a mother use to clean.
From Denver to Cheyenne and San Antone they came
to win a reputation and stake their claim to fame.
The wild and woolly west, of yore, is setting with the sun
he'd like to quit a winner and put away his guns.
Cuddle with his woman and spend his nights at home
somewhere in a quiet town not bothered by his name.
He promises himself - this job will be his last
his days a desperado finally laid to rest.
History has its heroes whose names are barely known
at water holes along the trail you'll find their bleaching bones.
In tales around the campfire and legends of our time
they claim he died a broken man a bullet to the brain.
Yet some have said he's living still down old Sonora way
peaceful in the lofty pines a kinder man they say.
A contest entry
- Cowboy's In 1880 by ennovy.
700 points, ended February 23, 19 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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Nicely done with some vivid imagery I adored reading....thank you for entering...novy
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Bravo, David! Truly a wonderful story that flowed like the Western winds it's set in. Did he make it, or did he not? In the life of the cowboy, it doesn't really matter; I think they were great believers in pre-ordained fate anyway.
You told one such cowboy's tale to a T here, and did it so smoothly that it just sneaks up on the reader and enraptures them.
Good luck in the contest,
Brazos
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Wonderful stuff
This is a song to drink beer to. I love westerns and western ballads. Marty himself would be proud of this.Love it -
im lovin' it!
oh yes yes yes yes YES i just LOVE your style of writing for this country stuff, amazing, and brilliant - you nailed it completely with the language and everything, i could not be more in awe of you at this moment
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Excellent write here
Wow what a read this is and I hope to see more like this in the future Bravo
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this was an amazingly awesome read. i dont get to read many Western poems
this was well written and I would also have to aplaude the fact that i love the flow of this write.you also did an amazing job on the imagery keep up the good work.
vampiry julianna
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Excellent
'Tis a fine write. Imagery, rhythm and rhyme are just fine, my friend. Thanks for sharing this one with us. Again, well done. -
Nicely done. I like the flow and consistant rhyme scheme. I think couplets make for a ballad like flow. My only recommendation is capitalize the word Colt's in the fourth line.
Great job.
Mike
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Refreshing
How refreshing to read a Western on the Ap site. this was well written and I agree with a previous comment that it has a lyrical tone about. Created perfect imagery of Sinday mornings years ago when you could always find a good westen on TV. Very well done.
Rhon
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David, you just keep rolling out these winners, this one should go to the Bar D if anything does. For some reason, I can hear Sam Elliot reciting this. I cant point out a favorite line, they're all good! I am impressed!
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The legends of the old west live on and this piece will add a little more life to them. Another well written tale with a nice musical flow to it that makes it easy to read and follow.
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