2nd Place Winner: David from Landing, NJ

 

Tall in the Saddle
Happy Birthday Jim! Hope you like it!
Tall in the saddle; His hat shields his eyes
Nothing but prairie and a wind that sighs
Blazing sun; A mouth parched with thirst
For a righteous cause with the law he's cursed

Not a sound or a voice but the one in his head
Not a friend but God and a Colt full of lead
No star guides him save the one on his chest
And the truth in his heart to show him what's best

Somewhere ahead in the dust and the heat
Waits' a gynman so fast that he can't be beat
Watching for the Marshall to came where he's at
He loads in the chamber one just for Matt

Yet tall in the saddle the man with the star
Keeps riding hard no matter how far
Then a shot rings out toward the setting sun
And the Marshall dismounts and draws his gun

A flash from the muzzle as the bullet flies
The gunman now knows he gives up or dies
With a strong clear voice coming down like a gavel
Composure of the desperado begins to unravel

"US Marshall, Drop your gun and reach for the sky!"
No doubt he meant it, 'cause Dillon doesn't lie
"Don't shoot, I give up!" cries the gunman now humbled
"I 'ain't gonna run ... !" the toothless wonder mumbled

The creaking dried out saddle over hill and dale
Buck's hooves heavy from days on the trail
Riding into Dodge with prisoner in tow
Then a shave, a bath, and a steak at Delmonico's

A cold one at the Long Branch with Doc and Chester
Who enjoys taunting Doc just to pester
Softly the steps of the red head behind him
Remind him of a love that will never bind him

For He's pledged first to protect from wrong
To help make things right no matter how long
A bridegroom of principal; with evil he'll battle
That's why Matt Dillon rides tall in the saddle.

David
LANDING, NJ