Gunslingers And Mudslingers Poem by Laurence Overmire

The artist and the critic
Sundown showdown
At the OK Corral

The artist walks in the open street
Bravely, in the line of fire
Talent holstered on the hip

The critic, black hat and spurs
Hides in shadows, behind dark edifices
A double-barreled shotgun carefully aimed

The townsfolk look on
Wavering interest, fleeting expectation
Getting haircuts, buying shoes

The artist and the critic
One to live and one to die
Eat the dust sweet humble pie

As the sun sinks low
The duel is fated to a finish
The artist draws, the critic fires

Through the smoke, on bended knee
Maimed and bleeding, a paintbrush flies
Sticks the critic between the eyes

The bodies will not stay there long
Someone will pay the undertaker’s fee
An unmarked grave without a view

Such is the way of the wild Old West
Lawman and outlaw, artist and critic
Wise man and fool

Boot Hill always wins.


(Previously published in Zinos, July 2000)