The portrait by fellow poet/friend and artist, Daibhidh MacAdhaimh.
Yesterday's cowboys sure made their mark
From Saturday mornings they all had their start
From Autry to Cisco, Red Rider to Roy
They were heroes to me not one of the boys
The giant of all, who swaggered his walk
Who lead with his shoulder as he would stalk
The bad guys of westerns in black hatted fame
He straddled his horse, "The Duke" was his name
He called good guys "Pilgrim"
He loved all the ladies
Maureen O'Hara was one of his babies
He caught the bad man and we all rejoiced
His character found in his deep voice
Many a comic copied his tone
Then with his swagger brought belief home
In later years, he knew patriotic
Was what we all needed
In John Wayne logic
Green Berets and Bob Hope tours
He visited troups in Nam forays
I guess what I'm saying is "The Duke" is the spirit
Americans need right now, this minute
From the heart of a hero and from the grave he still stands
As tall for freedom and love for this land.
John Wayne is a name, we all respect
And "Pilgrims" well " just"what the heck"
If "The Duke" were here now I know what he'd say
"Pilgrims fight back, It's the American way!"
Thanks Duke!
They sure did, on me as well. But many today now hate most Pilgrims - who were immigrants to this vast nation of ours - and I truly wonder what the Duke would think about that.
these words were beautifully written with style that would have made the Duke proud he was a gentle giant but as well a powerful force for good against evil in so many ways,,,blessings...Cecil
I think you are right on the mark with this one, the movie star heroes of today just don't stand up to the hero's of our drive in screens, the Duke, Clint Eastwood, Johnny Cash, these were the men that I wanted to be like and still strive to this day for they knew what the word hero meant...
OH I love this write...I am a big western fan, sitting here as I write watching Gun Smoke, watched the Duke yesterday, and Clint last night! I love the portrait, Dai painted an outstanding portrait of the Duke, one of my favorites. Your write is not only creative, clever and fun, it is full of wonderful sentements, I especially like the final lines. Outstanding, this one is a keeper for me!
Blessings,
Joyce Bowling
Reviewed by Andy Turner (Reader)
Reviewed on March 4, 2007
"Get off yer horse and eat yer greens"
Yup him and Will Rogers.
I used to call a bloke at work the Cissco kid, cos he was always asking, "whese this go," but in his london accent sounded like "where's cissco"
The planet does need another great leader, in the Churchill mold...
I never tire of watching this screen legend - Rio Bravo, The Searchers, True Grit, Eldorado, The Quiet Man and The Shootist, etc etc etc...
He was a man's man (along with Ward Bond, Heston, Lee Marvin et all) who symbolised the sadly overlooked masculine qualities of protector, provider, and indeed patriot (a word that sticks in the throat of many a self - loathing, self - guilt ridden, morally relative, gutless 'liberal'). Maureen O'Hara, a very close friend of the 'Duke' and one who shared his American pride, summed up his giant personality well in four words: 'John Wayne was America'. Who is there in the morally corrupt Hollywood of today that could hold a candle to him? I guess there are guys in there but are kept beneath the glare of publicity that surrounds the favoured in - step, self - centred icons. Oh, I could rabbit away...
'He called good guys "Pilgrim"'
Sums up the 'Duke's' graciousness towards others of noble character.
And yes indeed, 'Thanks Duke!' and thanks Susan for reminding us of the substance that our part of the world lacks (at least in leadership) today.
He would have liked what you've written. He'd go, Awwwwww, That's a bunch of hooey, and I'm not buying it." But like all of us, he would thank you politely... then ask you if you'd like to have supper with him. That was The Duke, too, and we loved him... the boys and men, also. Thank you for putting this one down on my reading pad, Ma'am.
- Bill
Way to go fellow poet!I really love and enjoy words written from the heart-mind-body and soul. it captivates and catches the readers attention and I admire you for that. Keep writing and never stop because writing is such a great form of all releases
I have written a chapter called I Am That, I Am in this inspirational compilation book by best-selling authors and wonderful people from all walks of life xox :-D (Its sister book is called Adventures In Manifesting - Success and Spirituality)
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but my take on cowboys are alittle different now that i'm older
i do feel you here
enjoyed
They sure did, on me as well. But many today now hate most Pilgrims - who were immigrants to this vast nation of ours - and I truly wonder what the Duke would think about that.
He was a man with True Grit!!!
of our present picture with depth, heart, clarity and compassion ...
Ron
Fee
Blessings,
Joyce Bowling
Yup him and Will Rogers.
I used to call a bloke at work the Cissco kid, cos he was always asking, "whese this go," but in his london accent sounded like "where's cissco"
The planet does need another great leader, in the Churchill mold...
I never tire of watching this screen legend - Rio Bravo, The Searchers, True Grit, Eldorado, The Quiet Man and The Shootist, etc etc etc...
He was a man's man (along with Ward Bond, Heston, Lee Marvin et all) who symbolised the sadly overlooked masculine qualities of protector, provider, and indeed patriot (a word that sticks in the throat of many a self - loathing, self - guilt ridden, morally relative, gutless 'liberal'). Maureen O'Hara, a very close friend of the 'Duke' and one who shared his American pride, summed up his giant personality well in four words: 'John Wayne was America'. Who is there in the morally corrupt Hollywood of today that could hold a candle to him? I guess there are guys in there but are kept beneath the glare of publicity that surrounds the favoured in - step, self - centred icons. Oh, I could rabbit away...
'He called good guys "Pilgrim"'
Sums up the 'Duke's' graciousness towards others of noble character.
And yes indeed, 'Thanks Duke!' and thanks Susan for reminding us of the substance that our part of the world lacks (at least in leadership) today.
Regards
Dai
Love Tinka
Michael
- Bill