May 2005  

Recipe for a Myth    © by    Andrew E. Kalnik
 

Mount up shining, tall in the saddle.
Ride herd on tumbling tumbleweeds.
Meet the schoolma'am on the stage from Dodge.

Don’t forget which way they went.
Slap leather at the OK Corral.
Try hard to avoid Boot Hill.

Belly up to the bar at the Lone Star.
Hope hard the Great Spirit
of Seven Card Stud smiles upon you.

Respect the ladies, even dance-hall girls.
Pay a silver dollar for a room.
Take off your spurs for sure.

Take a hot bath (they scraped
the tin tub nearly clean).
Take off your spurs for sure.

Stroke your horse’s nose.
Squint against the sunset.
Tighten up your cinch, ride out.

Say “Howdy” to immortality.

Previously published in the North Carolina Poetry Society's
Pinesong: Awards 2004. Used with the poet's permission.
NOTICE: The poem on this page is copyright © by the poet.