Spurs swung sudden by shuttered doors,

Gravel coughed under trail-hardened boots,

And the steps clacked across the planks.

 

A Stetson brim pillowed smoke,

Rising from the cherry smolder,

And swaying away from the hand-rolled paper.

 

The sun shone behind,

The dust danced about it,

Hazy rays glint back six ways to die.

 

A yell, a draw and a flash,

The report brought silence,

And sorry struggle.

 

Clasping iron in the holster,

Frantic writhing followed suit,

Bleeding over fallen chairs.

 

Spurs swung sudden by shuttered doors,

Horses whinnied under trail hardened boots,

And the hooves clacked away from town.