Judy Ball Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

Her name was Martha Jane Canary. She was one of the rowdiest and adventurous women of the old west. She grew up to look and act like a man because of the hard life she led as a girl. Her mother died when she was a teen and the family moved from Montana to Salt Lake City, Utah. It was a hard trip for the family for her father died shortly that same year of 1866. Jane had to care for her 5 siblings. She took any job she could get. She was a dish washer, cook, dance hall girl, etc. Then she went to work for the army as a scout and even worked as a Pony Express rider. She learned to hunt on the wagon trips with her father and other men in the wagon train. She was considered a very good shot and rider while still in her teens. I believe for Jane it was get tough or die so she got tough.

 

Calamity Jane

Calamity Jane the adventuress,
Lived and died hard under stress.
She could drink, smoke and shoot,
Out rode most galoots,
Men had to admit she's the best.

Calamity had a kind heart.
with her money she'd freely part.
If she could help,
Why not 'cause she felt,
She might help someone make a new start.

Calamity dressed like a man,
And most folks did not understand,
But she made her own way,
'Cause she'd no one to pay,
And she had to work like a man.

She died with the clothes on her back,
And the few things she kept in her pack.
She'd lived mostly alone,
Always been on her own,
She got tough 'cause she couldn't go back.

Her ma and her pa both died young,
And her siblings, they were all gone.
She was one little girl,
All alone in the world,
And her last song has finally been sung.

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Robert Pettit March 21, 2021 at 5:52 AM Another great write about one of the great legends of the Old West. Well done! Judy Ball March 21, 2021 at 2:46 PM Thanks bunches Robert. God Bless, JB

Demetrios Trifiatis March 21, 2021 at 3:16 AM Epic poetry dearest, Judy! I want to ask this: Are you a descendant of... Calamity Jane? I have seen the movie. Thanks for the details! Excellent work! Blessings! Judy Ball March 21, 2021 at 2:43 PM Thanks bunches Demetrios. No not a relative just interested in legends. But if you ask my husband he thinks I am a Calamity. God Bless, JB

Phyllis Babcock March 18, 2021 at 6:35 PM Thanks for the back ground history on Calamity Jane and she had a lot of courage despite all she went through. Well written Judy. God bless. love phyl Judy Ball March 18, 2021 at 6:40 PM Thanks bunches Phyl. Reading her history made me feel so sad for her. God Bless, JB

Panagiota Romios March 18, 2021 at 2:00 PM Judy! This is phenomal work on your part and a heck of a unique write! Thanks for sharing this. Hugs,Panagiota xx Judy Ball March 18, 2021 at 6:38 PM Thanks so much Pangie. God Bless. JB

Victor Buhagiar March 18, 2021 at 1:38 AM It is good to see her courage despite all the setbacks. Lovely limericks. Judy Ball March 18, 2021 at 10:17 AM Thanks bunches Victor. God Bless, JB

Gordon Mcconnell March 17, 2021 at 4:15 PM Great memories and great pen Judy, remember the movie well and your piece matches it perfectly. Blessings always,Gordon Judy Ball March 17, 2021 at 7:53 PM Thanks bunches Gordon. God Bless, JB

Vijay Pandit March 17, 2021 at 1:40 PM You painted her in courage and glory she displayed, despite her circumstances. I see her portrait in your words, Judy. Well done. Judy Ball March 17, 2021 at 1:48 PM Thanks bunches Vijay. God Bless, JB

L Milton Hankins March 17, 2021 at 1:01 PM Thanks, Judy. I really appreciated learning about the adventuress, Calamity Jane. Despite the odds, her name will continue to go down in history. I hope yours will, too. Judy Ball March 17, 2021 at 1:09 PM Thank you so much Milton. God Bless, JB

J. Summers March 17, 2021 at 12:24 PM Seems to me that women in those frontier days could be either used and abused or get busy getting tough. She chose to get tough...good for her. Liked your portrayal of this larger than life character. John Judy Ball March 17, 2021 at 12:43 PM She was quite the yong woman alright. An inspiration to all. She never said "die" and didn't give up without a fight which she usually won. Thanks bunches. God Bless, JB

Anne-Lise Andresen March 17, 2021 at 11:58 AM - A heartbreaking story, Judy - She had a heavy burden to carry - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Judy Ball March 17, 2021 at 12:34 PM Thanks bunches Anne-Lise. I agree her story is a sad one. God Bless, JB

Alexis Y. March 17, 2021 at 11:37 AM Hi Judy, I knew Calamity Jane was “ tough” but I didn't know why. The world can be cruel when you seem different. Miss Jane was misunderstood, so sad that she had no family left. In her dire circumstances, she paved her way and made a gigantic mark in history. Now I want to watch Calamity Jan; I think I will. I enjoyed the read. Have a great day:-) Alexis Judy Ball March 17, 2021 at 12:28 PM The Tom Boy to end all Tom Boys. Good For Her. That's the way of the world. People make assumptions that are unfounded and then they make fun of others for being different. They don't bother to find out the reasons why some people are as they are. Thanks bunches. God Bless, JB

Rico Leffanta March 17, 2021 at 11:34 AM Had I been born in those times, I would still have dressed like an Indian and can not begin to imagine why a woman would wear clothing quite incompatible with her environment, so who could blame Jane for displaying common sense? Fittingly, she still had a Ball! Aloha! Rico