Best Rotgut Poems
as I sit in the dingy saloon. Dehydrated and week.journey so long,I hardly feel
my feet.town name, town name, plays over in my head.the name rot and gut is
playing over instead. my insides are the first, and the second are the same.my
travils have prevented me from from feeling sane.as I turn my head, to view all
that is around.the whiskey and beer is flowing so sound.relief ,relief, is all I
need.so I raise my hand for the bartender to see.the room is humming,with an
awkward sound.one as if, just alchaholics around.as I order my drink,I feel a
pain inside, been to long, no alchahol to be found.as the drink gets slammed in
front of my being, the name of the town releases it's fear, rotgut,rotgut once
again in my mind.as I look around,there is no real cowboy to be found.i pick up
my boots and head for the door.never again will I drink no more.making my way
out the dusty town,my life looks better, no rotgut around.
Categories:
rotgut,
Form:
Cowboy Poetry
saloons are just another form of dealing with depression
I hate drinking away nights
saying yes to bartenders
saying no to reality
take a dip in the cold waters
harsh and real
life is for losers I thought
but maybe I should really try living sometime
Categories:
rotgut, absence, abuse, angst, dark,
Form:
Free verse
Set 'em up barkeep and leave the bottle
I walked in know'n I may not walk out
I done robbed that stage last night
Now that there posse a'chasen, no doubt
Dang it, so tired of being noth'n much
Just want'n to start over, somewhere new
Didn’t mean to hurt no one for sure
But I did, now don't know what to do
So I'll finish this here bottle of Rotgut
And ride that sorry mule t'ward the west
If'n they don’t catch me before sunup
I'll hole up somewheres and get some rest
Now that pore broke down gal I know
Will think I's gone for all and good
Wished I could've helped her some
But can't go back, know I should
No good , that’s what Ma used to say
My pa was nothin, a mean robbin' thief
So when that there rain lets up a bit
I'll be ago'n, bring'n her no more grief
Hope I get a' buried by a big old tree
An' next time I'll try to be a better me…
Categories:
rotgut, cousin, emotions,
Form:
Rhyme
I'm stuck in the town of "Rotgut",
not far from San Antone!
I work in the "Silver Dollar",
a saloon, that's quite well known!
I'm what's known as the bar-keep,
I can't remember for how long?
It could be more than twenty years,
but, there agin I could be wrong!
There ain't much to do in Rotgut!
There really ain't much action!
In fact, the Silver Dollar,
seems to be the main attraction!
Danny's our piano man.
He loves to sit and play!
Our three Dance Hall girls are getting old
and have seen their better day!
Most nights, it's the same ole crowd,
doin' what gets done!
Jud and his pals, dealin' cards,
drinkin' beer and havin' fun!
Spanky, my ole hounddog,
lies sleepin' on the floor!
At the spot, he spends most all his time,
just inside the bars front door!
Usually, there's a stranger or two,
drinkin' at the bar!
If they're not stayin' in Rotgut,
we don't care, who they are!
Sheriff Dan, does check them out!
He lets them know this fact!
If troublemaking is their aim,
then get out, and don't come back!
That's Rotgut, as I see it!
Although, it cannot be denied,
it's a lonely, dirty, rundown place,
but, it's where us folks reside!
Categories:
rotgut, humorous,
Form:
Rhyme
They say he had three Mothers
The Earth, the Wind, and Water
And His father was the Sun
And the Moon was his daughter
He wore a gun in his belt
With clothing made from hide
As He walked, He made no sound
And never broke his stride
Folks say he was part Cherokee
Others say, part Crow
There wasn't any clarity
There was no way to know
He wore a shiny locket
On the inside of his shirt
That he took out of the pocket
Of a dead Comanche’s' skirt
The feather in his hat
Made the white folk all take notice
And on his belt a sack
With an ancient Aztec Poultice
The myth, was he knew magic
Taught by spirits raised by Shamans
And because His birth was tragic
He was thought to be a Demon
As he passed through our town
The People, looked away
Afraid of being cursed
They where glad he didn't stay
The sun sank in the East
As the wind blew from the West
And he walked in a straight line
Like a man bent on a quest
He climbed up to the foothills
Where the Injuns made their graves
There he raised them from the dead
As he made them all his slaves
No one knew his purpose
For the dead upon that mound
Not at least, until that day
He came back to this town
Categories:
rotgut, culture, dark, death, judgement,
Form:
Ballad
It was around dusk when I rode into town
Then to the saloon I made my strut
I reckoned I'd gulp some whiskey down
Before leaving this dusty town called RotGut
I entered the saloon and took a seat
Ad then started downing the amber liquid treat
It was sometime later that night
When a youngster challenged me to a gunfight
I finished my drink and then replied
Let's settle this outside
So we stepped outside to exchange lead
But when the dust had settled, the youngster lay dead
It was around dawn when I rode out of town
Perhaps in the next town I'd make the cut
But from a gunfight I would never back down
As one man bit the dust in old RotGut
Categories:
rotgut,
Form:
Rhyme
The day seemed no different
From the ones that pasted before
Heat, dust and wind
Made living here a chore
We haven't had a drop of rain
For as long as I remember
It seems to me 12 years ago
From this past December
This dusty little town
Wasn't much for one to see
If it wasn't for the Army
It surely wouldn't be
For this place once was covered
With buffalo and grass
And Injuns Lived in Teepees
But that's now in the past
They say they broke the treaty
And that the Injuns had to leave
A tribe of mostly kids and squaws
I think we were deceived
The Army rode like lightening
The tribesmen held their ground
With the flashing of their sabers
They cut every Injun down
The last time that the clouds
Brought water to this town
Was the day that the soldiers
Dragged those bodies to the mound
There they tossed each caucus
In a shallow unmarked grave
No lance , nor stick, nor stone
Not even scribble on a stave
As the Army rode away
A single soldier stayed
To guard against the animal
From digging up the grave
He felt awful for the Injuns
Disgusted by their plight
So from his bag he took a chalk
And upon a stone, did write
To be continued..............
Categories:
rotgut,
Form:
Ballad
Geez fella won’t you look at me,
I’ve got my best frock on.
My girdles tight, my bosom heaves
and I’m stuck here ‘til mornin’.
You’re welcome in this Rotgut bar,
but kid you heed my warnin’,
git rid that ol’ ten gallon hat,
and don’t you start no brawlin’.
Stop fumblin’ with Sally-Anne
she’s just a broke ol’ toy.
It’s my turn for a night of fun
So come o’er here cowboy.
Hang yer belt up on the door,
ignore the ol’ grave digger,
the whisky’s cheap and I am too,
So come on, squeeze my trigger.
Categories:
rotgut, humorous,
Form:
Free verse
A coyote pack was howling as the sun crowned
Zack Waverly was weary, he'd travelled around
Zack takes up the narrative, better I found.
High noon, I rode the bay into Rotgut town
With fixed intention, I weren't playing around.
A spurt of tobaccy I spat on the ground.
To finding my quarry was where I was bound.
Saw lonesome Jake sitting outside the saloon
Playing his harmonica, a doleful tune.
No time for pleasantries, gunning for Calhoun
As I went in, I collided with Muldoon
I threw him head over heels into Main Street
Then in turning to draw the bullet was fleet.
I checked Muldoon was dead by kicking his feet
Lonesome Jake squealed and beat a hasty retreat
The bar tender nodded as I caught his wall eye
A bargirl sidled to my side and said "Hi".
With her arms 'round my neck, I did not reply.
So I swept her aside as she exclaimed "Why?"
Downing a shot asked "Seen Calhoun hereabout?"
Bar keep Sam Finnegan said "With this here drought
gone find watering hole with Indian scout"
In anger kicked a table, then came a shout.
“ Waverley, you yella belly rattlesnake!"
The saloon emptied leaving 'us' in their wake
Saw Calhoun run up the stairs making them quake.
Turning, he aimed, an easy target did make.
Double barrelled gun smoke then filled up the room.
Grabbing his legs, hissed "I'd put him in his tomb"
I punch him through a winda and grabbed a broom.
Then came a 'free for all' with goodness knows whom.
The director shouted "Cut, print, great work guys"
As my girlfriend, the bar girl, said "Hey, surprise"
As she dragged me to trailer batting her eyes.
Categories:
rotgut, character, humorous,
Form:
Rhyme
The road into Rotgut looked like every road,
in every town I've seen, dusty
I've traveled through so many towns
and this town is no different
I'm tired, just looking for the saloon
and a guy, a drifter, name of Zack
Sent me a wire, needs help with a bank job
They call me Ricardo, an outlaw
Been on the run since I can remember
Enough about that, I'm thirsty
The trail dust is still choking me
Well, its not much of a saloon,
but it will do
Bartender!Give me a drink!
Leave the bottle!
Hello miss, thanks but no thanks
Here on business, don't have time
Looking for a guy name is Zack
Do you know him?
At the table, thanks
You Zack? Got your wire
Ricardo? Yes the same
I'll be around, but not for long
In fact Zack, after looking at you I'll be moving on
No offense, you look like someone who runs a dry good store
And I didn't come here to baby sit
So just pay me for showing up and I'll move on
That won't be a problem will it?
Didn't think so
Thanks for the whiskey, told the bartender you'll pay for it
I'm keeping the bottle, you don't mind
Hope not, I'm tired and really don't want to kill you
Good day miss
Yep, like every town I've seen
Categories:
rotgut, bullying, business, conflict, power,
Form:
Free verse
A June Night in Rotgut Saloon
In walked Lefty Red behind him lay many dead
into this old dusty town his tired horse had tread
Well known his draw was quick as lightning
his stare deadly cold and so very frightening
Stranger where is the nearest watering hole
getting drunk and riled up is my goal
Ahead 120 paces is our old Rotgut saloon
enter there and you'll get your wish soon
Lefty Red , cold, bitter and as hard as granite
entered and saw a scene like he had planned it
Crowd was loud, rowdy as hell and so very drunk
beer and whiskey flowing , an odor foully stunk
Give me a beer and two shots of your best redeye
send over that sweet blonde philly that I spy
Barkeep did exactly as he was very sternly told
That philly's man was none other than Billy Cold
Billy Cold that had 7 carved notches on his gun
even once cut a man slowly to death just for fun
The stare sent a hard and well understood reply
want this har' woman , get her , jest you try
Lefty Red knocked down whiskey shots and his beer
spun around to show a fastdraw rig , he had no fear
Billy wasted not a second to make his best play
drawed his 45 to make that insulting Lefty Red pay
As his hammer was so very quickly cocked back
his ears heard a loud booming pistol crack
A huge hole suddenly tore open in his chest
a mistake, for Lefty Red was always the very best
Body was calmly , swiftly and carefully taken away
nothing new, this was like just about any other day
Lefty told the piano man to shut up and play a tune
time for the pretty saloon girl and getting drunk soon
Townfolks remember so very well that hot June day
Lefty Red had tested Billy Cold and made him pay
Forty-five slug and justice had caught up with that man
as Lefty Red had for seven, long searching years planned
07-08-2014
Categories:
rotgut, dance, death, hate, red,
Form:
Rhyme
The hinges of the swing doors creak as Zack Waverley enters the Rotgut bar
He stands in the doorway his huge frame blocking out the daylight
‘Hey Zack’ I cry ‘Is that a pistol in your pocket are you just pleased to see me’
His face lights up with a grin, ‘Hey sugar, have you got room for me’
I wink at him and smile at his subtle innuendo
Zack was once one of my best customers
Not seen him for years though he left as soon as I fell pregnant
Sparks fly off his silver spurs as he swaggers over to the bar
Double whiskey on the rocks, he downs it in one swig then has another double
Are you read for some action I ask him, are you firing on both barrels?
Zack nods his head and we head for the door to go to the old motel
Suddenly there is a loud BANG and a pistol is fired
Zack falls to the floor as dead as a dodo
A single bullet wound to his chest
My son stands there with a smirk on his face
The smoking pistol in his hands
‘Sorry it had to end this way dad’ he says stepping over the lifeless body
I fall to my knees and cry
Oh why oh why did I lie
'Zack wasn’t yer Pa' I cried
I just gave his name I should never have lied
He was just a man I could never resist
Guess I better tick his name off my list
Jan Allison
30th July 2014
Written for A Town Called Rotgut Contest Sponsored by Jerry T Curtis
Categories:
rotgut, imagination, murder,
Form:
Narrative
The evening turned to morning
As I awoke from my slumber
The fire in the hearth
Now, just a glowing ember
I didn't stop for coffee
As I headed for the door
And there, I stared in disbelief
As the sky began to pour
In the street, one by one
The town folk grouped together
And there in the center
Stood the man with hat and feather
He said, this is the rain
That will wash away their sins
And as the poultice melts
Change the color of their skins
I hardly could believe it
When I looked around to see
The town now full of Indians
I thought, How could this be
Then right before my eyes
I saw buildings sinking down
The rain was so intense
It made soft, the arid ground
Every trace of White mans world
Just disappeared from sight
As I stood there ankle deep
In this messy muddy plight
The rain turned into drizzle
And the people lost their trance
Some began to sing
While, others took to dance
To be continued..............
Categories:
rotgut,
Form:
Ballad
Then the man without a name
Approached me, from the crowd
He looked me in the eye
And I heard his say out loud
That what happened there that day
The spirits of the mound
Have finally found a way
To recapture scared ground
I broke down into tears
As I felt I must confess
"Listen to me Shaman,
I'm more guilty than the rest
It was a dozen years ago
When the Army was my life
And we came and killed your people
I was part of all this strife "
"But you were something different"
As he reached into his pocket
Holding in his hand
Was a shiny silver locket
As I took it from his hand
And looked inside to see
A picture of a Squaw
Standing over Me.
"When your mother died
You were taken from her hand
You were raised by whites
Then returned to take our land"
"So, why was I spared
Why me and me alone"
He just pointed to the mound
"Cause what you've written on a stone"
The END
Categories:
rotgut,
Form:
Ballad
I asked Him, what he wanted
To save the people of this town
But he only shook his head
As he looked back at the mound
"I seek no Gold or Silver
No payment from your hand
I know it's hard for White men
For this to understand"
Then he looked into the sky
As he said a little prayer
Did some tribal dance
And threw powder in the air
I didn't have a choice
But, to put my trust in him
So I begged His god for mercy
And to wash away our sins
He didn't waste much time
As to treating of the sick
He went from house to house
With the pouch, full of his mix
He applied it to their foreheads
As he took it from his tote
And I have to admit it
It smelled like rancid goat
I watched him as he worked
Well into the night
They started looking better
I believed they'd be all right
But I myself exhausted
Found a bed unoccupied
Slid between the sheets
Then quickly closed my eyes
To be continued..............
Categories:
rotgut,
Form:
Ballad