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SANTA FE FREIGHT
By: Wayne Brown
Whippoorwill’s call breaks the silence of the night
The blazing sun’s last rays are just a dim horizon light
Campfire coffee slowly boils in a worn old tin pot
Side-meat jerky will have to do, it’s all that we’ve got
We wash our necks in the nearby cool-running stream
Saddle up our horses and harness up those teams
A new day on the trail movin’ freight by wagonload
Ridin’ shotgun escort to fight off robbers on the road
We’re three days out on a four day run to Santa Fe
On a trail that follows the sun in along a westerly way
Just one more night of skirting the wild Indian Nation
Before we arrive safely at the ol’ Santa Fe way-station
‘Gold Rush Johnny’ is drivin’ the lead wagon on this run
Ol’ Jack Sprinkles is riding beside with his trusty shotgun
I’m settin’ a saddle mare and closing up the dusty rear
Bound and determined to get the freight on out there
That ol’ sun soon begins to set like it always seems to do
We bed down for our last night and try to get a wink or two
We’re makin’ good time; by tomorrow’s sunset into Santa Fe
Sure don’t need no trouble in the miles yet along our way
Bedded down on my saddle roll lying flat on my back
I watch the yellow moon climb the sky along a starry track
This is a dangerous land but the night sky welcomes us all
I watch a shooting star go by then into a light sleep I fall
Morning comes with a light rain, clouds roll about the sky
Wind is out of the west, tumbleweeds rolling quickly by
The rain is a welcome sight to me; less dust ridin’ the rear
Time now to pack it all up and get this freight out of here
The robbers hit when least expected; just outside of Santa Fe
Rode right down on us out of the rocks in the bright light of day
Shouting and shooting, trying to everything to raise our fright
Thinking we would run rather than stand our ground and fight
Jack Sprinkles dropped the first as he rode toward the wagon
Shot-gunned him from the saddle and left him stirrup-draggin’
By now ol’ Jack Sprinkles had the lead wagon at all out full run
My mare runnin’ with her head as I had both hands full of gun
An outlaw bunch short on brains and even worse with a gun
They chased us on the fly as we whittled at them one by one
When I fired my Henry and sent the third of six to the ground
Three pulled up hard on the chase and headed off eastbound
Ridin’ into Santa Fe, I trotted the mare up front from the rear
Jack Sprinkles just grinned as I went by, his shotgun ready there
“You’re a mighty fine shot, Mr. Sprinkles, you saved our butt again”
“You ain’t so bad yourself,” He replied then gave me a quick grin
We hit the way-station in Santa Fe with all the freight in hand
Safe but tuckered plum out from the trek across the badland
A few days rest and we’ll pack it up; head back the other way
Headin’ on back to St Joe, with some freight from Santa Fe
©Copyright WBrown2012. All Rights Reserved.
17 October 2012
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Comments
I love the western theme. Between you and Will Starr, I always look forward to reading your hubs about the old west. :-) There is so much realism to this poem, I felt I was there – or wished I was in my imagination until the bullets stared to fly. This was exciting and poignant in a straightforward way that said much more! Up ++.
Wayne, I was anticipating your take on the debate and look what I found! I love the old West so this was way up there on my lists of pleasures. I love it. Great job sir!
Love great stories set in poem. This is right up my alley. Great job!
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@Genna East...Thank you! I started writing this one a long while back and sort of laid it aside. I ran across it the other day, read the first verse and knew that it had to be finished. Glad that I did...I was needing to do something western! ~WB
@lrc7815...Last night's debate just did not punch my buttons. I didn't care for the format....too much left hanging. I really did not get the impression that there was any real impact from it as a result. My greatest inspiration from it was to write a letter to Candy Crowley but I got over that! LOL! Anyway....this held my attention and inspiration to a greater degree. Glad you enjoyed it, Linda! ~WB
@Jackie Lynnley....Thank you! You would probably also like my poem entitled "Horse Thief" if you get a chance to read it. It is one of the featured items on my profile. I really like writing about the old west but I've to give a rest to rekindle my inspirational juices a bit. So glad you liked this one! ~WB
Your story that's how I thought it, is great. I loved it.
Voted up and awesome, Joyce.
Thank you! A nice break from all the "serious" stuff and I, too, love the Old West angle.
Keep it up!!
Wow....It sure was dangerous back then, being a UPS man!!! ... UP+++
Absolutely wonderful imagery created with your words! You are such a talented writer - thanks for continuing to share.
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@writer20...Thank you, Joyce. I always know that I am on the right track when I catch your attention! ~WB
@34th Bomb Group...I know what you mean! I love the old west and this sure comes a lot easier! LOL! Thanks much! ~WB
@fpherj48...LOL! That's about it! Thanks much! ~WB
@GClark...Thank you for continuing to pay attention. I do appreciate your kind words! ~WB
Wayne - Growing up in the days of western movies in abundance, this reminded me so much of a great film. To maintain the great tale of the West and keep the prose was a true statement of your talent, my friend. I thoroughly enjoyed this! Great Job!
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@rcrumple...It is hard for me to imagine kids of today not having that particular entertainment. I still love watching the old black and white westerns. Sometimes they are a bit corny in spots but still fun. Glad that I could tell a story in verse that held your interest on the subject. Thanks much! ~WB
Loved this, Will. Very realistic. I grew up watching Hopalong Cassidy at the Saturday morning movies. He never met a bad guy he couldn't kill. But he was fair, never shot anyone in the back.
BTW - My dad gave me a quarter every Saturday to see a movie, buy popcorn, and pay for a bus ride both ways. Those days are gone forever. :)
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@drbj...Wow! The buying power of a quarter! I can remember going to the movie with a dollar, paying admission, buying popcorn, a pickle, and a drink, and coming away with change...that doesn't happen with a $20 bill today! Thanks much, Doc! ~WB
Dog Gone it Wayne, I love it!
As you know me by now, I LOVE the old west......this one is first class!
I was actually right there with them, as I read this....fun stuff.
Chris
I enjoy your poems, Wayne. It's a great way to tell a tale. I'm always drawn to a good western.
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@CMerritt...Thanks so much, Chris. The old west always gets a good response...think I'm gonna have to write about the same things two or three times! LOL! ~WB
@Diana Lee....Thanks much, Diana. So glad you found it entertaining. ~WB
Love the wild west. People were resourceful and didn't put up with riff-Raff. Apparently my great grandparents crossed the prairies in a wagon train.
Wayne, I love your poems about the old west and camping out under the big sky. Reading your poetry and short stories is truly a pleasure. This one really takes the reader to a different place and time. Well done, Mr. Brown!
When I was a kid, I was hooked on westerns. Sometimes I think that in a former life I was a pioneer. Your stories and poems bring it all back to me. You are awesome!
Well told in the Wayne Brown way.
TFP
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@tirelesstraveler....So glad you enjoyed it...a very intriguing time where just staying alive was a daily chore. Thanks much! ~WB
@Phyllis Doyle...Thanks so much. I really enjoy writing on the subject if I can just continue to find more angles. ~WB
@breakfastpop...Thank you. I have the same feelings....like I've lived in that time. ~WB
@The Frog Prince....Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! ~WB
Mmmmmm...i swear that in my last life i was a cowgirl - and even tho i was born in canada in the coldest freakin' city in the world - i'm still mostly cowgirl with a little bit of bikergirl tossed in for good measure!
I would LOVE this trek - other than the bad guys of course - but - i'd feel so safe with you and Mr. Jack Sprinkles..
Sharing with the hub-munity...
miss ya, Waynexx
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@ImKarn23....I think part of the interest of those times was how apparent it must have been to anyone at the time how responsible they were for their own survival. People had to be tough and face whatever life brought them. Like the outlaw, Josey Wales, said, "When things get that way, you got to get mad-dog mad." We've come a long way since Henry Ford rolled his first car off the assembly line and gave man an alternative to riding a horse or wagon....but we'll never be a tougher lot than back in those days. Thanks much! ~WB
Just what I like, a story of the old west with cowboys and robbers and trains. I love it! You had me pulled in here, Wayne. Great story from a talented writer. Voted up!
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@teaches12345....Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it. ~WB
I still love the way you tell a story pal. good job Cheers to you!
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@ladyjane1....Great to hear from you. I thought maybe you had gone off to Hollywood! You know how I like those western tales so it comes a bit easier there. Thanks much! ~WB
I really enjoyed this. Voted up and awesome. Love the wild, wild west. Passing this on.
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@Gypsy Rose Lee...Thank you and thanks for sharing it. Lots of fans of the old west so you are in good company! ~WB
Fascinating! My Dad would have loved this!
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@BlossomSB....I wish I could have shared it with him. Thanks much! ~WB
Wayne, you really brought this home, I can't imagine kids playing anything but cowboys and Indians, you really did large here, I always wanted to shoot a feller with a double barrel, as a kid. I really thought the old side by side was the best. Don't recall for sure, but I don't remember them making a toy side by side, I reckon they would sold a bunch.
Thanks for a great tale, voted up,
dust
- Author
@50 Caliber....The only toy I remember was what we called a "double-barrel stopper gun". It had two barrels and it shot corks attached with strings to the barrel. Thanks much, Dusty! ~WB
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