based on a title by Jack Ridl
But if you were, you’d hide in your chaps
on your dark stallion, concealed by the saguaro
beside the remote tracks. You’d scan the horizon
for the gray plume of smoke, listen for the whistle
in the distance, lean your ears toward the clackety
clack clack clack of the engine. And you’d wait. Till
you could see the whites of the engineer’s eyes
as he drove by. You’d kick your heels into your horse’s sides
and shoot your gun into the air to show you mean business.
You’d see the resolve set into the engineer’s jaw and you’d smile
beneath your black bandana. Yaw! You’d shout as you
keep pace with the train, your posse coming alongside.
You were made to shake things up. Just take a look
at that sun weighing down the west like
a big sack of gold just ready for the rustling,
and why not take it? The world is yours. And the
way you’re feeling, this good, this rich,
you already know you’ll give everything away.
This is the second time this week I am referencing Jack Ridl. If you are not yet aware of this amazing feller, here is his poetry blog: https://ridl.wordpress.com/
and here is a link to his upcoming book: https://www.wsupress.wayne.edu/books/detail/saint-peter-and-goldfinch