Tonight’s short poetry workshop combined the genre’s of cowboy poetry and film noir.  I went into it unaware we weren’t supposed to combine both.. soooo.. I did just that anyhow.

A Western Noir
by Michael Romani

I was riding through the desert that day
On a horse with no name - at least on display
When I met an unsmiling, sordid stranger
Whose black hat signaled his danger

In a narrative structure quite convoluted
We drew down at high noon its reputed
No one could get by with murder, she wrote
Not with the sheriff with six gun in tote

Savage's Linoleum Falcon flew into town
While the town drunk wore the jester's crown
He was center focused on a woman of low virtue
Miss Kitty was her name to those like me and you

While the town's post master rang maybe twice
The hard boiled egg of a detective added spice
Kiss me deadly said Pinkerton as private eye
And the desperado played the part of the other guy

Seven Samurais slipped into boots of cynicism
While the town's preacher offered his optimism
Sure that dynamite might even the fight for a hoot
Or they'd all die trying at the hill of the spurred boot

(c) October 2, 2018  Michael Romani
All Rights Reserved