Anvil Bob and the Stranger

The sun was down when the batwings swung
An' Anvil Bob walked in.
Bob's name came from the blacksmith trade He's stronger than strong men

He was more than mad, he looked fierce,
There was blood in his eye.
"I'm lookin' for a tall stranger,
That came here some time by.

"Had his way with my young Sadie,
And rode off into town.
I aim to tear his limbs apart,
An' grind him in the ground!"

A chuckle came from down the bar,
The stranger gave a smile.
He tipped his hat to Anvil Bob,
Just grinnin' all the while.

You'd best calm down before you bust
Yore ticker my old friend.
You'll be awhile at what you said
You'd do to me just then.

You see this knife here in my belt?
It's skinned a lotta hog.
It'll cut all yor' buttons off,
Or circumcise a frog.

I've used this knife from here to there
An' never lost a fight.
You'd best come have a drink with me
An' we can make this right."

Anvil Bob turned two shades of pale -
Starin' at that sticker.
He knew he'd best talk to this man
An' drink his free likker.

The stranger said he'd been away
Workin' cattle all year.
He an' Sadie had gotten wed
Before he'd left from here.

"Get yor' nose out of them hot coals
An' look around a bit.
You'll see the world still goes around
An' all the pieces fit."

"I got the money now saved up
To buy a little spread.
An' she'll be goin' there with me -
Best get that through yor' head."

Well, Anvil Bob's a grandpa now
He's got a whole new life.
Don't argue with his son-in-law ---
‘Cause he recalls that knife.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

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Gauthier Avatar
January 15, 2021 at 6:04 PM
Awesome job at turning this story around ~ love it
Hoffman Avatar
May 1, 2016 at 11:18 AM
Your poems always make me smile, another good one Larry!:)
Bradfield Avatar
May 1, 2016 at 12:45 PM
Thank you, Cheryl....if it can make you smile, I'm happy with it!
Smith Avatar
April 24, 2016 at 11:13 PM
Is that one of those "if you marry your sister is she still your aunt" questions? Good write Larry...
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