Ode To A Ghost Town

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Ode To A Ghost Town

Tumbleweeds roll down dusty streets
an’ doors are shuttered tight
the wind howls ‘round the old ghost town
where the past assembles at night

Only the brave let the sun go down
to linger ‘mid shadows that fall
as stories are told folks pretend to be bold
tho’ they shudder as coyotes call

But listen close outside the saloon
an’ you’ll hear a rickety tune
as dancehall girl’s swing an’ twirl
an’ gamblers bid to the moon

Down the street away from your corner eye
a curtain flutters an’ sways
tho’ the window is broke, it’ll make you choke
in fear of unsettled days

There’s a lonely stray dog meandering
as you hide in shadowy places
his ears start to perk as he turns with a jerk
an’ barks at pale ghostly faces

If you pause a while in dark alleys
pressed close to buildings of old
you’ll hear sidewalks creak ‘neath invisible
feet it’s the truth…or so I am told.

Gunslingers will pass as you tarry
walkin’ tall with a buddy or two
And if you listen close, you’ll hear them
boast of the many men they outdrew

Then, thundering hooves overtake you
the ground starts to shudder an’ shake
an’ a cowboy’s yell—like a voice from hell
makes your spirit tremble an’ quake

Roundups end in this ghostly town with
wrangler’s now plum dirty an’ dry
have finished their ride behind those cowhides
now a bath an’ whiskey they will try

Merriment, you may now witness as
tho’ seeing thru’ an old looking glass
as cowboys whoop dusty hats they swoop
bowing low to ladies they pass

You’ll not be ignored forever as
though a viewer from this other side
ghosts see you too with feet stuck like glue
and toward you they soon will glide

You’ll feel only woe in these dwellings
to escape your fate, you’ll run fast
for you know they thrive an’ remain alive
in these ghost towns of centuries past.

Ghost Town written by Tamara © 2007