Ode to Johnny Sunset

He was six foot four, and mean and trim
He had a scar which traveled eye to chin
Carrot hair with eyes blue ice
But the ladies thought him mighty nice
All aflutter, they’d gather round
And welcome Johnny Sunset
When he came to town.

Yeah, they’d all simper in their pretty gowns
When Johnny Sunset came to town.

He was a righteous man, pure of heart
Hired to finish what evil men start
He’d practice quick draws right at sunset
At dawn he’d shoot, gaining him the epithet
Of Killer Angel of Tumbledown
That was Johnny Sunset’s name
And he wore it like a crown.

Yeah, Killer Angel of Tumbledown
Johnny Sunset’s old hometown.

He was sure and brave when he came to Boulder
Feared no man, nor looked over his shoulder
The Dry Gulch Boys were nothing but trouble
Johnny swore those boys would die in the rubble
If they continued their mischief and didn’t back down
They best listen to Johnny
And quickly leave town.

Yeah, them boys better heed
Johnny Sunset and get out of town.

Johnny had a passion for his odd-looking weapon
A Colt-45 whose fame ever beckoned
To men mad enough to try to take on
The man some folk called Saint John
And when the Dry Gulch Boys decided to try
With thunder in his voice, Johnny cried
‘Don’t even try, boys,
Or you will die!’

Yeah, with thunder in his voice,
Johnny Sunset cried ‘Remember that you will die!’

But them good old boys, they wouldn’t listen
There was no reasoning with ‘em, they had it in their vision
To ambush Johnny at the break of dawn
When he walked the streets and whereupon
They’d rein shots of lead
Through that russet-colored head
And watch him bleed until he was dead.

Yeah, they’d watch him bleed until he was dead
Poor Johnny Sunset, shot in the head.

Came the next morning, tall and proud
Johnny walked the street, his head unbowed
It would take more than two outlaws to plough him down
He was the Killer Angel of Tumbledown
And better men than the Dry Gulch Boys
Had tried to kill Johnny
And with greater poise

Yeah, they’d tried to kill Johnny
But in the end, it was always just noise.

He knew them two boys was hiding in a tower
He didn’t blink but suggested in lieu of flowers
Their women folk get on their knees to pray
For them bad boys was nearing Judgment Day
‘Twas Glory Land where they was bound
So said Johnny Sunset, as he hunkered down.

Yeah, behind a rock,
Johnny Sunset hunkered down.

With lightning speed, Johnny pulled his gun
He fired two shots and it was done
Just two quick shots was all it took
Time for a preacher and a hymnbook
And Johnny Sunset, Killer Angel of Tumbledown,
Slowly stood up.
It was time to leave town.

Yeah, he slowly stood up, and looked around.
His job was done. It was time to leave town.

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Word Count: 503
Author’s Note: Well, this has to be my silliest experiment yet! Admittedly, I’m not a poet, but when I saw the prompts this week by ThainInVain and BeKindRewrite, I kept hearing Johnny Cash’s voice in my head – and this is what I came up with.  Be gentle with me, good people.  🙂

Okay, ThainInVain challenged us to write a flash fiction based on the prompt, ‘Remember that you will die.’

BeKindRewrite challenged us to craft a story utilizing certain words. The words I chose were: sunset at dawn; in lieu of flowers; and odd-looking weapon.

Both challenges can be found here: ThainInVain and BeKindRewrite. Check them out – and be part of the challenge!

Photo credit for second photo: generational justice.