Tales Of The American West

Linked senryu.

The Cowboy's Tale

I ride into town,

dismounting my trusty steed

and shoot the place up!

19/09/20

 

The Native American Indian's Tale

War dance was over,

my tomahawk razor sharp

as I claim his scalp.

19/09/20

 

The Trapper's Tale

The wilderness wild,

unforgivingly remote

as I set the traps.

19/09/20

 

The Gold Panner's Tale

In the flowing streams

I pan for rock sediment,

looking for a glint.

19/09/20

 

The Settler's Tale

I ride my wagon,

due west into the unknown,

where a new life waits.

19/09/20

 

The Cavalry Soldier's Tale

Uniform smart pressed,

 I sit mounted on my horse

readied for the charge.

19/09/20

 

The Sheriff's Tale

I live for my badge,

uphold the laws of the land

and speak with my gun.

19/09/20

 

The Medicine Man's Tale

I make my potions

from ground up herbs and berries

to cure my people.

19/09/20

Author's Note

Reviews

[X]

Ah, all them tall tales told about our beautiful wide wild west...now over populated, mismanaged by political hacks and burning itself in a big cloud of silver smoke and it ain't the silver screen. Still I wouldn't live anywhere but here...Oh, I love you California:)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed and somewhat massaged by Hollywood directors! Many thanks Kira.

[X]

Hollywood was my home for many years--over looking the sign--around the band from Madonna and Moby...many fond memories...

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Madonna and Moby were your neighbours! I hope they were good neighbours and invited you to barbeques!

[X]

Madonna moved but Moby came to our BBQ often he lived next door and we went to his all night rave parties by the pool...it was all magic...

[X]

Spent Xmas day at his house one year...its what California made of...dreams

[X]

I'll post a video of a song I wrote for my brother and filmed at the house...you'll see it...

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Dreams indeed!

[X]

Some turned a nightmare...I posted a song for you...

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A song. Where?

[X]

on my page...Cry For You...see our house on the hills..the White castle is Moby's

[Dave Brown]

This is great stuff very well done
Hollywood personified
I grew up on all that corn and still enjoy it
Reality was a much different story

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah Hollywood has a lot to answer for but it was our staple back in the day Dave. many thanks.

[Kari Rakitan]

It's interesting how so many of these lifestyles include violence. Once could even say it's romanticized.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Perhaps by Hollywood! Many thanks.

[barleygirl]

It's amazing how lasting & mesmerizing images of the American West have been for even people outside the USA! Eric Clapton said he became obsessed with old American music heroes after winning a book about the American West showing cowboys & Indians & all that. That's what got him hooked on exploring the southwest music scene! In your poem, you cover all the typical scenarios & you pack in a ton of strong vivid details . . . but I must say, your word portrait looks alot like Hollywood & I think the reality may be a bit different! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah but I was fed upon John Wayne so I concede. Many thanks Margie!

[barleygirl]

I had 5 "girlie" older sisters swooning over John Wayne, so of course the tomboy (I) rejected his smug macho a*s! *wink! wink!*

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Tomboy? Ok is that a rejection of men lol?

[barleygirl]

Tomboy would be a rejection of men who are overly concerned with coming across like MANLY men! John Wayne wasn't exactly known for his sensitive side! *wink!* wink!*

[barleygirl]

On the other hand, I watched the movie Tombstone last evening, which is way too "shoot-em-up" for me (I usually turn off anything violent immediately) but becuz the star-studded cast is full of handsome studly men dressed in that irresistible bad-boy get-up, I watched despite rampant gunfire, enjoying the "corn" (as Dave Brown so aptly calls it!)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy"----
very clever senryu...

now where did I leave that herd of cattle?

[John Alexander McFadyen]

By the river perhaps Jacob. Many thanks.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Wow creatively awesome how you thought up all that and I have read of western sheriffs, Cowboys, red Indian natives, , the settlers and the cavalry so each stanza was very interesting and fabulous . The descriptions were all very apt and eloquent. Kudos!!!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you so very much!