Wichita (poem) by Patrick A Granfors on AuthorsDen

Wichita
by Patrick A Granfors → (All Poetry by Patrick A Granfors)
Rated "G" by the Author.

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Something different. Photo:Outdoors.webshot.com

Wichita Dusty barnacles on wagon wheels Tiller stuck in neutral Ransom paid in full with Jolly Roger’s blinders Sails torn beyond repair What was that they said Capn’s gotten drunk again Claimed the last bit of hardtack for hisself Had to fight the mealworms first Says he likes them best Mule’s on strike for wages Tantamount to mutiny Dust devils fill every orifice Sucking powdered silt Out of the deep ruts that point the way Westward Beneath the choking hazy brown sky Day after endless day Sagebrush is lookin’ gourmet Be mighty fine stuffed into that buzzard overhead Damn thing can scarcely fly Full up he is Only four of us left Rock piles make shitty graves Too hard to find Too hot to stack Shovel ain’t no better Ground’s hard as stone Don’t need no gloves neither Hands too dried up to blister Buckboard splinter on my ass Reminds me to stand a spell But the knees want to buckle At every stony bump Sunset straight ahead Brings on the chill of night No firewood since Wichita Broken spokes will serve tonight But will cripple us tomorrow A thousand miles on foot Long odds against Thought I spied a sparklin’ stream At dusk Reckon we’ll see tomorrow Hopin’ I’m right It Jes’ ain’t true what they say All that glitters is gold Copyright 2011 Patrick Granfors

Reviewed by Bill Terry (Reader)

Reviewed on May 11, 2011

So vivid...kinda makes yur throat dry! Gonna have a beer soon as I get to the Ponderosa tonight. I'm certain that I'll appreciate my pillow-top mattress more than ever!!!

Bill

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on April 23, 2011

Prairie schooners, ahoy! A fine rendition of the hell went through when trying to head west across the Great Prairie into the deserts and mountains ahead. The images are as real as the dust in my palate. Historically sweet. Memories are much sweeter than reality.

Ron

Reviewed by Mary Patterson

Reviewed on April 21, 2011

Vivid images .. I don't think I'd like to visit that place...M

Reviewed by Chip Bergeron

Very well done, patrick.....great images, well realized. Hmmm....from the content I would say you and Sage Sweetwater ought to have a cup of coffee together.

Chip Bergeron

Reviewed by Richard King

Feels like a book to me, short story at the very least. Personally I�ll take Louis L'amour to Zane Gray, or any of the other western writers any day, but I could switch to P.A. Granfors with a minimal amount of coaxing. Nicely done, Sir Patrick.

Thanks Dick

Reviewed by Annabel Sheila

Put me right on that there wagon..splinters in my ass an' all!God! How tough were those pioneers....enjoyed this, Patrick...it was like watching an old western.

Anna

Reviewed by Mr. Ed

And people whine that they have it tough today. Those pioneers actually knew what tough was.

Reviewed by William Bonilla

Reviewed on April 20, 2011

Great write Patric
Enjoyed the mass amount of Imagery
in this awesome presentation
Peace be with you

William

Reviewed by Ed Matlack

Is that how you make the trip from Missouri to LA...seems alot of work, maybe next time you can take the interstate...e

Reviewed by Karen Vanderlaan

very nicely done!

Reviewed by Paul Berube

Excellent piece, Patrick.

Reviewed by Regis Auffray

This is very well done, Patrick; it takes the reader right into the frame of mind of your character and the situation that he is facing. Thank you. Love and peace to you,

Regis

Reviewed by John Bidwell

Zane Gray- Bingo. I've read "The Mysterious Rider" more times than I care to admit.
OK- move over Zane Gray- we'll be waiting.
That'll teach you to write this well.
John

Reviewed by Mark Lichterman

Wow, Patrick, where did this, right out of a Zane Gray novel, come from.
Made me so thirsty I had to get up and get myself a vodka/tonic.
Mark