a mental movie
When old King Colt still ruled the ribald West
With iron hand: You buttoned up your vest.
Put on your ten-buck hat, strapped on your gun
And stepped out blinking in the point-blank sun.
As you stood still: hip-booted in the heat
Of noon: Not a sound moved along the street.
Except where some crazed flies trapped out of doors
Buzzed in the razor shadows of shut stores.
As you walked warily: The hidden eyed
Felt the oiled weapon slapping at your side.
Just a slight tic, a tremor in your face,
Betrayed you to the lethal …