Henry Rifle Forums

I know, I know. This is why you bought your guns in the first place- to shoot poets or at least efficiently usher them off your property with a little authority- and fast! I've been writing poetry since I was a child. Perhaps I am trying to return to those days of my youth.

This poem attempts to do just that. Being from the rural country meant we had to create our own entertainment most days. Two cousins, two bikes, plus no fear of trespassing, equals mucho trouble in most cases...but lots of times we were able to safely explore an area and get out without an incident.

I guess we were either lucky or had a couple of overworked and underappreciated angels assigned to us! Either way, here is a poem I wrote about one of those many misguided adventures. I hope you enjoy!

“The Shack”

We traveled by foot
to the end of the tracks
our last steps in silence
as we neared the old shack

Far from the world's noises
deep in the woods
under two hugging oaks
there the shack stood

Boards bearded with ivy
rust-stained by nails
sat the stories untold
with no secrets unveiled

We crept in like ninjas
over floors filled with cracks
just what could be lurking
inside the old shack?

The fireplace had curtains
of dense spider webs
grim visions of yesterday
grew thick in our heads

Prowling round corners
we looked high and low
with soft pressing soles
shattered glass at our toes

What happened here
we can only suppose
Who rocked in that chair?
Cooked meals on this stove?

But no words were spoken
and none did we hear
damp, dusky smells
mixed well with our fear

Walls filled with emptiness
dust danced in the beams
we were stirring up trouble
waking dark, distant dreams

We always left before nightfall
to make our way back
leaving mysteries to sleep
in the old, creepy shack

gmw 2008

Cool. I do some cowboy poetry in my shows. There's some talented people out there. Thanks. I liked your poem, it tells a story.

Here's one of mine: The Cowboy Trail is a highway that winds through the eastern slope of the Rockies and the Porcupine Hills in Alberta, rich in history, so I wrote about it. Might set it to music one day, you never know....

THE COWBOY TRAIL Copyright by Keith Ward


We all know Dodge and Wyatt Earp, they’ve filled the history books
We rode the Goodnight Loving trail with herds and wagon cooks
We saw the ranges all fenced in and rode the iron rail
But the Wild West never took a rest on the old Cowboy Trail

Winding north through the Porcupines are tracks long since faded
From buffalo herds to Blackfoot bands, old stories often traded
From the Waldron range to the historic Bar U, the circles all get rode
On a slick fork wade, some custom made, they’re keeping to the code

South of the border has its regions, punchers and buckaroos
But the Alberta hand is a mix of style, whatever works he’ll use
Some are packin’ sixty feet, some carry thirty-five
But out here on the Cowboy Trail, the cowboy’s still alive

So you can read about the Dalton gang, or ponies that hauled the mail
But if you want to live some real Old West, come and ride the Cowboy Trail

Thanks for trading poems, RanchRoper. I do believe your poem told a tale too. Thanks for sharing and keep up the fine work. I heard the deep, gruffly voice of a cowboy reading yours with a crackling fire in between. Good stuff. Keep it going.

Outstanding poems, I really like them. You both have quite a talent there.

You have both written wonderful poems. Thanks for sharing them with us.

I've always loved literature, but when I started college at the age of 42, I came to understand it so much better than before.

I wrote this poem about six years ago. I was 60. I think it's among my best.

CT_Shooter wrote:
The Do Point

I stepped from a grassy dew onto a walkway, creating a footprint
That would not follow me like the shadow from the lamplight.

I turned to watch as it slowly faded
And thought about tomorrow and the work I would do.

That's a good one CT. Sometimes it takes only few words to capture a moment. Thanks.

Roses are red
But I'm feeling blue
I'll never write poetry
As well as you do!

Seriously, folks, you have a wonderful talent. Keep the poems coming - I'm sure we'll all enjoy them.

I'm impressed. All have done a wonderful job in these works.