Frontier Town Poem by Jim Boone

Emporium

They came here for what’s necessary
For living on the frontier of a world
That was rough, young and beautiful

We could supply most of their needs
But only God almighty could strengthen
Honorable intentions against those
Two-legged varmints on the take, both
Our customers, welcomed and feared.

Hotel/Saloon

They came here for whiskey
A bath to wash away layers
Of trail dust, a bed to rest
A body weary from a job
Well done, or just begun
On the trail of much to do.

There was rough recreation
Befitting wild, rough times
Misunderstood ‘Mary Magdelines’
In search of a savior, in step
With a honky-tonk musical score.

Now poets, song writers and novelists
Open history’s doors to the forts,
Ranches, mines, mountains, rivers
And land that surrounded every
Frontier Town

2001