A Rattling Rhyme

In a cow town filled up with red sand and bold lies
Stands a man from old Texas with stories of size
The one yarn of them all that he tells as a fact
Does concern a young feller of talent and tact

'Twas a night filled with boredom that supplied the test
As he gathered his wits to think what he knew best
Well, for water so sweet he favored a wind mill
Then by mornin' he had built a corn crackin' still

A sweet smell in the air marked the town's fateful day
As the doors came ajar to see who cooked this way
The cups rattled and rang as lines formed for a sip
Then each man came alive as his turn passed his lip

The young feller just smiled and his smile was returned
As cowboys and tradesmen shed a tear as throats burned
Was a day maybe two talkin' tall drinkin' brew
When the first, not the last,fight broke out - nothin' new

Then a fire started quick in the frames and the brick
While the town was ablaze and the men drunk and sick
The young feller smelled trouble and mounted his horse
Left the still and the crowd and the fire in full force

Who he was where he is who can tell to this day
But the still and the fire shaped the town in this way
It is dry, it is meek and the women folk speak
Of the corn that was cracked and made strong men so weak

7-31-18
For Nina Parmenter's poetry contest A Rattling Rhyme
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018


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Date: 8/31/2018 12:44:00 PM
What a great tale you have spun for this contest! Definitely deserving of your wonderful win. I loved reading it Larry. Congratulations! : )
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Date: 8/31/2018 10:49:00 AM
wonderful piece,Larry...Congrats on your well deserved win...
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Date: 8/30/2018 1:40:00 PM
Congratulations on your win. "Who he was where he is who can tell to this day..." an awesome line!
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Date: 8/29/2018 6:39:00 AM
What a great tale you wove, Larry, and in fine style. Congrats! regards, Viv
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Date: 8/28/2018 7:12:00 PM
CONGRATULATIONS on your well-deserved win! You've told quite a story! Janice
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Date: 8/26/2018 5:20:00 AM
Nice tale - engaging and entertaining. All the best ... CayCay
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Date: 8/12/2018 5:46:00 PM
Hi Larry this is a fun read, really loved the line "a man from old Texas with stories of size" good luck in the contest!
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