Poetry

The Western Way
by Earl Bergland, 1971

The marshal trapped the devil gave him his due
Made him a pledge of the WCTU.
Denver had a false love. Teased her for lying
Nailed on a board her foxy hide for drying.

Brave Eagle roped a mustang ornery and mean
Put on spurs, rode that bronc lean.
Reno was spooky with truelove testing his heart.
Found a dancing woman...tore it all apart.

That's the Western Way, the way of the man
From the Columbia to the Rio Grande.

The parson with lightening crackling in his hand
Asked the sinners how many volts they could stand.
If Monty had a woman like he had a mind to
...taking cold showers all the winter through.

The Padre in a Arizona church so hot
Told the wild ones its a layover stop.
Chico felt a passion burning deep inside
Roped a lovin' woman to let out the tide.

That's the Western Way, the way of the man
From the Columbia to the Rio Grande.

Dodge City hired a smart kid tougher than sin
Sic him on the bad guys with only a star of tin.
Dallas took a killer bull by the horns
Castrated the critter with cactus thorns.

That's the Western Way, the way of the man.
From the Columbia to the Rio Grande.

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Writing Poetry

Why Poetry? Poems are written by people who are too lazy to write a book. Most people who write poetry would do more good for the world by growing flowers or painting old barns. But we need to have patience because many young poets just need a few years of practicing as do musicians.
What are the three basic requirements for a quality poem?
A. The topic must be very important.
B. The poet must express thoughts with clarity.
C. The poem must create a dramatic impact (create an emotional feeling) in reader.
Is poetry a waste of time? That is a tough question. We can wonder the same thing about fishing or watching a football game. A poem provides the poet with a means of expressing ideas and feelings by a very personal means. Playing basket ball or cooking is also a means of personal expression.
What kind of an attitude should we have about reading poetry? Imagine sitting in a park on a spring day listening to your friend discuss ideas with you. Poets love waterfalls and country fried chicken.