The Dance Hall Girl

I'm standing here in limbo as 

I see him wander in.

That no townsman has warned him

is truly a mortal sin.

 

He slides up to the bar and 

takes a curious look around.

He orders a shot of whiskey.

No one else has made a sound.



The barman just ignores him 

as he has the others here,

and keeps on mopping up the bar

as I try to wipe a tear.



I still have strong emotions

with no way to express them.

I don't know about the others.

They all look like wooden chess men.



When that dying gunman hexed us

with that evil, malevolent curse,

he didn't doom us all to death's call

but with something even worse.



He said we'd stay almost forever,

exactly as we were right then,

until some day, some one would free us.

But he didn't tell us when.



I'm a dance hall girl who hasn't danced

for lo these many years.

I just stay as frightened as I was then

as I try to wipe my tears.



I see the stranger stiffen

as he searches for some cash.

He'll reach for it forever.

The spell has hit him in a flash.



So I know he's not the one

who can break the wicked spell.

We'll keep doing what we're doing,

but I guess its just as well.



For the only one who'll walk out

of this doomed saloon alive,

is the hombre who can break the spell

that keeps us in this dive.



When the spell has been broken 

we will all be turned to dust,

and be blown to Earth's corners

with the wind's first heavy gust.



For town of Rotgut contest.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Taylor Avatar
August 12, 2014 at 11:13 AM
Great write, Joyce. Congrats. Nice going. xxxRalph
Guzzi Avatar
August 11, 2014 at 3:05 PM
Congrad's on your win. Light & Love
A. Sharma Avatar
August 11, 2014 at 4:04 AM
Wow thats lovely Joyce! congrats on huge win!
Halliday Avatar
August 11, 2014 at 12:47 AM
Very well done, and an original take. This one had my top vote.
Chutani Avatar
August 10, 2014 at 8:32 PM
Joyce, a lovely story of the rotgut girl. congrats for fine win. Mohan
Smith Avatar
August 10, 2014 at 6:58 PM
Ow wow congrats Joyce
Nance Avatar
August 10, 2014 at 4:36 PM
Grats on your win!!! Well done!!!
Gibson Avatar
August 10, 2014 at 3:00 PM
This is a wonderful twist on the contest, Joyce. Congratulations.
Lindley Avatar
August 10, 2014 at 2:27 PM
Fine win !!! Congrats on this win....
Richards Avatar
August 10, 2014 at 1:29 PM
You gave this damsel a good hearted reason for being part of the wild-west,.....what a great twist to the contest! Well done, Joyce!
Sietesantos Avatar
August 10, 2014 at 12:50 PM
Congratulations on a great win, Joyce - I had a good time reading this well-written piece! Pandita
Rodgers Avatar
August 10, 2014 at 10:53 AM
A great tale, Joyce. Congrats on your win.
Eastman Avatar
August 10, 2014 at 10:28 AM
Congratulations on the win! Well done.
Mehta Avatar
August 10, 2014 at 10:24 AM
A very unique write for the contest, congrats, Joyce
Allison Avatar
August 10, 2014 at 9:43 AM
Unique take on the theme - congrats on your win:-) Hugs Jan xx
Kendrick Avatar
August 1, 2014 at 6:40 AM
Uniquely different entry..Reads like a winner to me..Way to go..Thanks for the visit to let me know that I placed in the contest..Sara
Lindley Avatar
July 29, 2014 at 5:58 PM
This is a truly wonderful imaginative and great write my friend. Classy and strong!!!!
Johnson Avatar
July 29, 2014 at 7:31 PM
Thank you Robert. I am so pleased that you liked it. Love, Joyce
Devonshire Avatar
July 29, 2014 at 12:08 PM
Dear Joyce, You took a fanciful theme and created a poignant, meaningful poem that gave me chills. May you never lose your edge or be caught in the Rotgutt Saloon! Surely this will be a winner, dear. Love you, Carolyn
Johnson Avatar
July 29, 2014 at 1:16 PM
Thank you Carolyn for reading and commenting. It was quite a different effort for me. I always appreciated your input. Love, Joyce
Nance Avatar
July 28, 2014 at 4:34 PM
Wow! that is great!! Gave me the chills, what a terrific piece of the story, I hope it tops the winners list!!!
Johnson Avatar
July 28, 2014 at 5:04 PM
Thank you Casarah. that is nice of you. Love, Joyce
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace