The Painted Lady

She pats her combed and curled up hair painted lips twist into a sad smile. Tucking her mama's hanky between her powdered bosoms. She thinks of Home Lonely Cowpokes drift in from the badlands gunslingers crowd around the bar. Card sharks bluff and bluster at every table playing till their money is gone The hot night air thick with whiskey: cigar smoke and danger She gasps.. an excited shiver trickling down her spine. Stepping out onto the landing she gathers her courage she hurries to her admirer's side. For a little hanky panky the drifter has traveled far She will drink and dance the night away. A sweetheart for his dime The morning after.. Daylight will shine on just a painted lady sleeping sweetly; dressed only in her angelic smile..