The Thwarted Gunslinger

 
I couldn't have asked for a better day
	for shooting a man, or two
The sun was high in a cloudless sky;
	just right for what I planned to do.
I'd practiced on tin-cans, fence posts and trees
	an expert at quick-draw was I,
But never the thrill of real life kill -
	I wanted to see a man die !
I came riding in with a hap-hazard grin,
	but quickly I changed to a frown;
I drew quite a crowd as I spoke up so loud:
	"Just cowards live here in this town!"
I whipped out my gun and twirled it around,
	then back in the holster it went;
By what they just saw, fear-stricken awe
	throughout them was instantly sent.
Then from the sidewalk a loud voice yelled out
	"Young man, I have to confess,
I know what this gun-play is all about;
	You're trying to make life a mess."
"You might kill a few and they might not kill you,
	but here's the advice that I give:
There'll someday come one with a much faster gun;
	Until then in dread fear you'll live."
He said, "Look here now and I'll show you somehow
	what possibly waits ‘round the bend;"
Then shot off my holster before I could draw,
	and said, "go on home now my friend."
Two coins he flipped, twirling high in the air,
	and shot through them both with one shell.
He must be an angel - the thought crossed my mind,
	or maybe a demon from hell !
I quickly resigned from the gunslinger's game;
	picked up my gun and left town.
I came back next day to offer my thanks,
	but the stranger was no where around.
The stable guy told me the stranger had said,
	he'd wait ‘round the trails' final bend,
And if I'd heed the advice he had given-
	together we'd ride . . . to the end.

Poem by Ron Baron
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