Vigilante

Vigilante


He walked in the door
a little John Wayne
a little Jesus Christ 
six foot tall 
giant guns on his hips 
so emaciated you can count all his ribs. 

twelve bullets flew and 
twelve persons fell  

reload  

repeat

the deafening clash never ended 
until all you could count was the dead.


He stood among patrons
of the local pub 
and made a decision 
like he always does 
that he would never do this again, 

never again 

see the blood on their faces 
and blood on the floor 
but forever carry 
their blood on his hands. 

He sighed, 

sheathed his hard steel 
turned on his heel 
and walked right back out that door.
 
That wasn’t the first time 
and wasn’t the last 
that he shot the hot lead 
and dropped steaming brass 
leaving no trace 
but the spent cartridges strewn about. 

He knocked the dust off his boots 
and kept walking on 
humming a tune 
couldn’t remember the song 
unsheathed his steel 
and just let them play on 

that deafening clash never ended.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

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

A  Avatar
June 11, 2016 at 11:13 PM
HAROLD, well penned. Enjoyed reading your thoughts and words today. *SKAT*
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