The Highway Man Poem by Juan Olivarez

'Stand and deliver' all of your things,
Gold and silver, lockets and rings.
Hand over your jewelry, however fine,
This cutlass and pistol say they are mine.

Don't get any notions, before you depart,
Or you'll get a pistol ball, right through the heart.
Ladies and gentlemen, your valuables please,
Hand them to me, and I'll grant your release.

I'm just a poor soul on the King's Highway,
Now that you've contributed be on your way.
Your life's have been spared, you've met my demands,
Now please take your leave of The Highway Man.

And off drove the coach, in a cloud of dust,
The highwayman stood laughing there in the road.
In his chest beat the heart of a man who was just,
He fought against the tyranny, of King George III.

On his black gelding, In his burlap mask,
He roamed both near and far.
He took on the hard and impossible task,
Of fighting the Redcoats in his own private war.

The Highway Man galloping off in the night,
Bringing fear to the English host.
One man against all the English might,
Fighting for the new land he loved the most.

8/17/10 Alton Texas