A Town Called Rotgut

The hinges of the swing doors creak as Zack Waverley enters the Rotgut bar
He stands in the doorway his huge frame blocking out the daylight
‘Hey Zack’ I cry ‘Is that a pistol in your pocket are you just pleased to see me’
His face lights up with a grin, ‘Hey sugar, have you got room for me’
I wink at him and smile at his subtle innuendo 
Zack was once one of my best customers
Not seen him for years though he left as soon as I fell pregnant
Sparks fly off his silver spurs as he swaggers over to the bar
Double whiskey on the rocks, he downs it in one swig then has another double
Are you read for some action I ask him, are you firing on both barrels?
Zack nods his head and we head for the door to go to the old motel 
Suddenly there is a loud BANG and a pistol is fired
Zack falls to the floor as dead as a dodo
A single bullet wound to his chest
My son stands there with a smirk on his face
The smoking pistol in his hands
‘Sorry it had to end this way dad’ he says stepping over the lifeless body
I fall to my knees and cry
Oh why oh why did I lie
'Zack wasn’t yer Pa' I cried
I just gave his name I should never have lied
He was just a man I could never resist
Guess I better tick his name off my list

Jan Allison
30th July 2014
Written for A Town Called Rotgut Contest Sponsored by Jerry T Curtis

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 7/30/2014 11:03:00 PM
You tell a sad tale in this one. Something out of Bonanza - which re -runs I often watch. Peace & Love Matthew Anish
Login to Reply
Allison Avatar
Jan Allison
Date: 7/31/2014 3:37:00 AM
Thanks for the lovely comment Matthew. Hugs Jan xxx
Date: 7/30/2014 3:17:00 PM
I have heard of this thing happening in real life where people lie about something like that and an innocent person dies for it. Well, not really "innocent" in this case but of THAT particular thing he was. GOOD job on this, Jan.
Login to Reply
Allison Avatar
Jan Allison
Date: 7/30/2014 4:36:00 PM
Thanks for the comment Andrea. I commented on Tim's poem and he said i should write one - this was submitted as no 35 in the contest - phew! Hugs Jan xxxx
Date: 7/30/2014 12:25:00 PM
very descriptive and full of detailed images, jan... another great piece.. huggs
Login to Reply
Allison Avatar
Jan Allison
Date: 7/30/2014 4:35:00 PM
Thanks for the lovely comment Nette:-) Hugs Jan xxxx
Date: 7/30/2014 8:16:00 AM
Outstanding Jan...I love it luckily I released your muse :) hugs:)
Login to Reply
Smith Avatar
Tim Smith
Date: 7/30/2014 8:26:00 AM
Thank you my dear dear good friend xxx
Allison Avatar
Jan Allison
Date: 7/30/2014 8:21:00 AM
I got a hug, kiss and cocktails when i lost my muse - If i get placed with this write i will dedicate it to you my lovely friend. Hugs Hugs Hugs Jan xxx
Date: 7/30/2014 8:13:00 AM
Oh the tangled web we weave!.. Lol.. Gl in the contest dear Jan!.. Hugs.. Arlene
Login to Reply
Allison Avatar
Jan Allison
Date: 7/30/2014 8:20:00 AM
Thanks for the lovely comment Arlene. Hugs Jan xxx
Date: 7/30/2014 7:34:00 AM
haha fun!
Login to Reply
Allison Avatar
Jan Allison
Date: 7/30/2014 7:36:00 AM
Tim encouraged me to write it - not sure if it's what Jerry is after but the challenge was fun:-) Hugs Jan xxx
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter