Shotgun Law Poem by David Welch

Lefty Jacobs pushed through the doors,
he wanted a drink, nothing more,
after long days out on the trail,
a ride so hard his horse had failed.

He'd had to get out of Roystown,
to many lawmen going 'round,
he had a name that brought such things,
but he was long beyond caring.

As he moved up to get a drink,
across the bar a small man slinked,
wanted more, but was at a loss,
out of coin, the barkeep just scoffed.

Lefty took pit, slid come coin,
said, "Two drinks, so my friend can join."
The whiskey came, he took his shot,
felt the burn, felt his stomach rot.

The small man drank and then looked up,
right into the eyes of the tough,
said, "I know you…and you should run,
bounty hunters are here…not for fun."

Lefty just laughed, said, "I don't care.
let them come for me, if they dare.
I'm the quickest, alive or dead,
I'll put a fast round in their head!

"Many hunters have tried before,
I've took them all, and even score!
I've wandered far across the land,
and never met a better man."

The small man slumped and said, "Well then,
I just thought I might help a friend."
He downed the rest, and turned away,
perched at the bar, where he would stay.

Lefty looked on, and felt disgust,
how could a man become so lost?
No flesh on bone, no life in eyes,
as if he were about to die.

It almost around his pity,
but he bit back the sympathy,
the man had warned of hunters here,
so Left would induce some fear…

To show these townspeople there place,
he'd make the hunters meet their fate,
and buy time as the town's top dog,
at least until there came real law.

Most people saw him and walked off,
townsfolk, not hunters, Lefty scoffed,
then a heeled man left the café,
and confidently walked his way.

Lefty just smiled at the sight,
wouldn't have to search for the fight,
he said, "I see you want to die,
are bounties really worth your life? "

The man wore white, and smile back,
"Ain't none faster than Randsome Jack.
I'd draw, but there is no need too
with that shotgun right behind you."

Lefty sneered, "No need to be a jerk,
I'm not so dumb that trick will work—"
Then a cold fear came to his mind,
when two barrels pressed on his spine.

He heard the small man from the bar
say, "Both hands up, stay where you are.
My partner Jack has got the cuffs,
you make a move, this gun goes off."

As Jack walked forth, the small man grinned,
"It was much too easy with him.
Who needs speed when they're all so dumb,
what's pistols to a scattergun? ! "

Jack slapped the cuffs on and then laughed,
"Tonight, good whiskey, and hot baths."
"A thousand each, " the small man said,
that was the price for Lefty's head.