the famous death

the famous death held the stage

then spent steeds hung wearied heads

riders of the overland shrugged, wept

as tolls paid echoed through the berg

wails rose from the blended murmur

children hushed and gossip faded

comforting arms held before the earth

a young bride blinked soon a widow

sheriff or marshal, time and rank forgot

gun pulled on the wild powder keg

flames burst, one a hair behind the other

gasps as one stumbled, knelt and fell

a Doc came forth, chastising, no need

six shooter kicked beyond a cold hand

pocket watches click open and then shut

paces resumed, the west wonders why

dust to dust turns to a scarlet crude

holstered again as springs compress

a lash, a lurch, life to hoof and wheel

Lincoln’s held the stage, his that day

04/07/2022