Cowboys

A man named Ben stood on a slope looking at the gates of hell, He swore they’d never turn back, him and his best friend Del. They knew the bandits came this way, they’d left a sloppy trail, Sheriff and posse had given up but they, would never fail. He reached into his saddle where he pulled some paper out, Posters of the bandits, who had brought them on this route There was Crooked Jake a killer who was merciless and drear, He shot you if you looked at him, his colleges were full of fear. Then came Baba Barber as hairy as a lamb, But nothing gentle about this one, he head-butt’s like a ram. The third was Festus Farlow a man with just one eye, Yet the fastest gun in Texas causen many a widow to cry. Ben turned to Del and with a sigh he mounted his beige mare, Said, “guessen we’d better git started, Del ma frind tek care.” The two had ridden hours with bandanas on their face, Which only helped a little, for sand was all they could taste. Both saw many carcasses and bones, bleached white from sun, But also knew these badlands are not a place for fun. All at once Del’s stallion, stood with hoofs boxing empty air, Sent him flying to the ground, and in a rattlers face did stare. Now when he fell he’d landed on a hard and rocky bed, So he grabbed a stone and in a flash, crushed that rattlers head. Ben had reached for his riffle ready to take a shot, Knowing the sound of gunfire would give away their spot. Six days later found cowboys, with cracked lips and weary bones, Now huddled by the campfire listening to familiar tones. High up on the rocky hill, a wolf sang to the skies, His silhouette rare beauty, appeasing to their eyes. Still sleeping at the crack of dawn, a voice woke them abrupt, Crooked Jake stood before them, his hand his gun did cup. He started laughing at the two still lying there in bed, And Ben and Del were certain, that they would soon be dead. Now Festus and old Baba, were going through their sacks Finding pictures of two women, they had just shot in their backs, Then they took their horses, saddles, hats and boots, sayen ‘’You’s ain’t gunna need these, when Festus Farlow shoots.” Two good friends were shaking now as a dozen shots rang out, And when loud echoes finally ceased, dead bandits lay about. Ben and Del stood in a daze, and checked for bullet holes, The sheriff and posse had come back, God, bless their souls. 10.03.2014 For Isaiah Zerbst Contest: Cowboys in the Badlands 2nd