Shane (A Childhood Memory) Poem by Royston Allen

Rooted in the ground defiant it stood
stronger than steel though it was made of wood.
It was stubborn and determined to stay
but it had to go for it was in the way

Each night they would attack it together
with an axe and spade, with horse and tether.
A stranger alliance could ne'er be found
trying to remove this stump from the ground.

Their muscles were aching as their sweat poured
they worked in silence not speaking a word.
Then the uprooted stump lay on its side
and back down in the town some men had died.

This gunslinger proved quicker on the draw
and the farmers foes were dead on the floor.
But now the dastardly deed had been done
Shane just rode off into the setting sun

With tears in my eyes I saw him depart
and watching him go was breaking my heart