How The West Was Won

Originally posted on 3/3/2010.  My 50th birthday, by the way.

 

Watching “The Real Old West” on
the History Channel:
blued barrels
hanging off leather belts
as always; but it seems
that the rotgut was mixed with fruit juice,
if this is to be believed
over the mythology 
of bad gin and whiskey
shot from dirty glasses,

burning neat all the way down.

I trust this.
It’s more like

who we are,

telling ourselves
we’re tough old cowboys
but too scared of pain
to dare to toss
our poisons back
straight,
no chaser.

 

About Tony Brown

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A poet with a history in slam, lots of publications; my personal poetry and a little bit of daily life and opinions. Read the page called "About..." for the details. View all posts by Tony Brown

One response to “How The West Was Won

  • Léa's avatar leamuse

    Going east from Sacramento toward Lake Tahoe, there is a small town called Nevada City. Behind the hotel on the main street is a plaque dedicated to the Ladies of the evening without them the West never would have been won…

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