Mermaid on the breakwater

Doc Holliday.


The speediest slinger in the west,
a nervy setting around the eyes,
a gun strapped an inch below his vest -
cocked before the bullet flies.

So drunk he’s seeing double,
staring into empty space
with a gun for each of ya’,
watching your every pace.

He keeps alive with his calm,
liquid reflexes to match the feral -
a gun spinning in his palm
With a loaded barrel.

He’s your huckleberry,
a gambler and a drinker,
leading cowboys on a merry
dance - a thinker.

He’s the guy from just out of town,
with a steel in his scope,
and an understated frown
when he draws his gun on a rope
from just under his coat,
in his hand without a cigarette;
leaves a hole - dead centre throat,
Or straight through the head;
the only slinger to die in his bed.

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Baron

You've been watching "Tombstone".

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Mermaid on the breakwater

I know, I watched it on dvd again yesterday and I just wanted to write a poem for Val Kilmer's version of him. Brilliant character.

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Mirror

Enjoyed this, overall - although the rhythm falters in various places (i.e. stanza 1, line 3). Stanza 2 verges on literal. Other than that, a sound poem. Stanza 3 flows particularly well.

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Where the barmen have their names etched in salt; earthy and honest like their fathers. -- MisterJack

vangoghsear

"Hell, I got lots of friends."

"I don't."

Love that movie, his character in particular. Good poem MOTB.

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If writing is wrong, I don't want to be right.

MisterJack

Yep it was a fun read and a good salut to Mr Kilmer's rendition.

Though, this reply probably won't register as the forum seems shagged again

Good to read you again Mermy

Jack

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If it claims to be God, eat it.

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Mermaid on the breakwater

Thanks for the comments everyone and yes, the forum is definitely glitchy at the moment. Gotta' love Doc Holliday.

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apple

You did a pretty good job on this. I'm saying this seriously, it has a "drunk" kind of unsteady read to it. I can really picture Doc in this piece. I enjoyed it. Good, motw.

Baron

The film was on tv on Sunday night, and "Wyatt Earp" with Kevin Costner on Monday. Doc Holiday saturation but the Val Kilmer rendidition is definitely the best.

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Baron

Val Kilmer certainly did a better job than Dennis Quaid did in "Wyatt Earp"

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Baron

bump, ouch...

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Wishing4Rain

Loved it MotB. I love Tombstone and Doc Holliday is my favorite character in it. No crit's at all, though I am a bit dissapointed "You ain't no daisy, you ain't no daisy at all!" Wasn't in there lol. Now im having the urge to watch Tombstone lol, I believe I have the DVD somewhere. Once again, nice work.

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"The reason I love the rain, is so other's won't see the tears falling from my eyes."

SadLuckDame

What a fun poem you have here Mermaid, no crits just saying this was a goodie.

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Well, it was a nice check, Kitty, and really I might have won, if it hadn't been for that nasty Knight, that came wriggling down among my pieces. Kitty, dear, let's pretend -- -" And here I wish I could tell you half the things Alice used to say, beginning with her favorite phrase "Let's pretend."
written by Lewis Carroll