Gunfight In Old Abilene

Gunfight in old Abilene

With his hat drawn way down, reins loose in his hands
His horse sweating pints, the sun burning down
The dust from the trail was choking his throat
The Abilene sign, said, two miles to go

He rode into town, stared the folk down
He pulled up his horse at the watering trough
All scuttled inside as his boot hit the ground
The word was soon spread, that he was in town

His aim to avenge, a brother who’d died
By hand of a cowpoke, o’er game o’ cards
Known to be cheating and fast with a gun
He’d drawn and fired on unarmed man

Stepped out the poke, with a gun on each side
The stranger he sees with a look in his eye
Some paces they took, no words were exchanged
They stood face to face, staring each down 

Silence it fell, the nerves were of steel
Dust blew around on the faintest of breeze
The desolate street, unreal in the scene
The stranger stood waiting, death in his eye

The air, it was crushed, as the guns they were fired
Bullets passed wild, on wings of hate
A thud, a cry, a hit was made
One fell to the ground, the sun burning down

The dust and the smoke, cleared from the air
Onto the street, the folks gathered round
Amazed at the speed the actions had been
Declaring the duel had seen a fair fight

He mounted his horse, tugged brim of hat, 
His mission complete, justice on course
A man of the old west who never looked back
Where sun had gone down for the poke on the ground
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Lamoureux Avatar
October 23, 2015 at 8:42 AM
It was fun to read this one again Richard.
Hendricks Avatar
July 22, 2013 at 8:03 PM
You had me right there on the scene with this vivid write, Richard. Awwww, I used to love the old westerns as a child. Good work, my friend. Licia :-)
Hicks Avatar
May 4, 2013 at 11:19 PM
I normally don't care much for scenes from an old western era. But this didn't feel so cheesy... instead it felt like something that actually could have happened. There's a strange sort of coldness and utter calmness in the cowboy seeking revenge, that I oddly liked.
Zerbst Avatar
April 15, 2013 at 9:48 AM
Very good poem here! It has a realistic feel to it. As if I can see the events taking place. Good job!
Wesley Avatar
April 11, 2013 at 4:57 PM
Such great images come to mind reading this action packed duel. I guess it didn't take much to start a two man war back then. So cool! Luv, Lizzie
Delaney Avatar
April 8, 2013 at 10:10 PM
This is a great tale and so well told. Recaptures the wild west very well.
Carrillo Avatar
April 6, 2013 at 3:11 PM
Richard; I just love this kind of poetry. This is amazing. If it's Abilene Texas, I was there a couple of months ago. Thanks for sharing. Is this for the contest? Lucilla
Andresen Avatar
April 5, 2013 at 2:12 PM
- Reminds me of the movies we were allowed to watch on Saturday nights when I was "little" - Nice to read your story / poem Richard! - Have a lovely weekend. - oxox / / Anne-Lise :)
Dietrich Avatar
April 4, 2013 at 8:12 PM
You have just described one of the many western movies my husband has been watching constantly since he lost his job a few months ago. He tells me that he wishes he lived in the cowboy days and I think he would have loved those times. Good one.
A   Avatar
April 4, 2013 at 10:45 AM
Almost like the wild west... Richard, are you talking about "Abilene Texas," :-) I like the old western wear in your story. Justice won, and a reason to never look back. I'm glad we don't settle debts this way no more... xox~ Linda
Seal Avatar
April 4, 2013 at 4:28 PM
oooooooo I hope Gypsy's not from Kansas lol
Seal Avatar
April 4, 2013 at 4:20 PM
The real Abilene to me is always the Texas one, them Kansas cowboys could never live up to the texans lol erm sorry Kansas
Manassian Avatar
April 4, 2013 at 10:20 AM
I saw it all in my mind's eye! Was the stranger a handsome Clint Eastwood type? Great write, Richard. :) Lovely use of words. You're a great storyteller!
Seal Avatar
April 4, 2013 at 4:25 PM
Tut Auntie, how can you be so shallow, why do they always have to be tall, dark and handsome lol
Lamoureux Avatar
April 3, 2013 at 8:10 PM
I am a sucker for old westerns. This did not disappoint. Thanks for your visits and comments, I enjoyed reading them today.
Seal Avatar
April 4, 2013 at 4:27 PM
Yes me too at westerns
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