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Ferryman's Pole, Part 3

Off to the side downslope my ride I had time to unburden 
I don't know why but somehow thought I might could use my lasso
Tied there upon my saddle

On a small steep bluff it was just enough to stay above the current
But it couldn't last I was thinkin' fast 'bout what might be my savin'?
How my hide to be savin'

As they tumbled past the boys I'd last left as my sweet companions
Were screamin' like the demon that unleashed this ghastly end
This fiery ghastly end

As I swung the horn down from my mount my eyes swept up past Bill
He was staring down from the Devil's crown to the witches brew below
The maelstrom down below

He was still astride that deadly tide that somehow he had conjured
And I could see him smilin' there his eyes still fire a'blazin'
His eyes like fire a'blazin'

And he laughed, I swear like a banshee there above the Hell below
A screamin' wail that would even pale a priest upon his altar
Mid prayer from the altar

Fire still shooting from his eyes, lightning in each hand
He was looking down upon the ground where now I made my stand
I thought it my last stand

The cauldron boiled like a Coven's glow 'cept now a torrent ragin'
And the last I saw of the Bar D crew was a wisp and smolderin' ember
A charred and smolderin' ember

The quakie grove on the bluff I strove around me started crumblin'
And I stumbled round on the crumblin' ground my mind a maverick runnin'
A branded maverick runnin'

My faithful mount fell from my sight his scream announcing his sad plight
It rose high above with the Devil's roar and tumbled down to the valley floor
It tumbled down to the valley floor

The white bark trees all lost their leaves as they twisted in confusion
They bent, some broke, but like the spokes of a penny farthing twisted
Together some had twisted

Copyright © John Stetson | Year Posted 2025

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