Re-posted to celebrate the 2009 Annual Calgary Stampede...

His coat whipping and
snapping midst a storm of dust
and blistering wind

Encrusted with filth
his tattered hat obscuring
the void of his eyes

His gait ominous
the hollow clinking of spurs
an all-fool’s death toll

Through creaking doors he
looms, shadow cast enormous
across wood plank floor

Not a breath uttered
silenced horror in the wake
of his wickedness

With a sneering grin
he saunters cross the room and
basks in their terror

Approaching the bar
the wench flinches as his fist
slams down one gold coin

and through clenched teeth he
hisses ‘Gimme a gumball ~
make it a bubble.’