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Who Told You This?
Written for a Lancer Writers site Dialogue Challenge, December 2014.
“A Pinkerton agent stopped me in the street.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t some kind of joke staged by your do-nothing friends? “He showed me identification, and gave me that train ticket.”
“Even so, young Lowell or Blair could afford to finance such a ruse. You could be going off on a wild goose chase. He’s not shown any interest before.”
“It would be rather an elaborate ruse and to what purpose? No, I believe the request is genuine. I don’t understand why now, but I’m curious to find out and to put a face to the name.”
“He’ll want something from you.”
“Indeed, but what?”
“It should make no difference. Your life is here not in some mud hut on a desolate strip of land hundreds of miles from civilisation.”
“Not so very far from civilisation these days. I understand San Francisco is the tenth largest city in the United States now. With the transcontinental railway I should get there in only a week or two.”
“You are determined then?”
“I am.”
“And if I forbid you to go?”
“I am a man not a little boy. It’s my decision, sir, and I’m going.”
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What’s in a Name?
A selection of Verse – Four
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Married for love my beautiful bride
Uprooted from her family – in childbirth she died Ranching in those days no home for my lad
Denied by her father my right to be dad
Once more I was blessed with a wife and a son Cruel fate it deprived me – away they did run
Hard though I sought them, they could not be found
Long years before
Agents see my sons homeward bound
Nervous of losing them all over again
Cautious and angry no boys but young men
Each one I am proud of though backgrounds of strife Rare fortune befalls me. Together we start a new life.
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Sadness and longing as a motherless child
Cared for by grandfather like investments compiled
Opportunity for freedom through battle and war
Tempted by offer — father unknown before
Truly amazed
Lancer, land full of hope
A father, a brother – now life has some scope
Never imagined my future would feel this secure
Caring sister and friendship of which I am sure
Evermore shall I live here, my home to reside
Rightfully belonging — the Lancer name borne with pride.
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Jailbait in the making but at the height of my game
Out gun, out manoeuvre — It adds to my fame
Homeless I wander border towns all alone
Never trusting or loving someone of my own
Next job might be different and give me some power
Years of hardship behind me, in fear did I cower
Mayhem and killing is the life I now lead
Anger and hatred are feelings they feed
Death follows me daily and walks by my side
Real good at my trade and in that I take pride I’d like to believe there’s a future somewhere
Destiny still ahead of me with people who care
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Journeying lightly — surprised to be free
Outlook unexpected but came for a fee
Hearing of family not before known
New brother discovered and now not alone
Never thought I could like him but maybe it’s fate Years with no father and all of that hate
Lancer the man I now see as good
Anger behind me — Yes, that’s understood
New horizons and a home in which I take pride
Childhood fears in the past now and all put aside
Every day I’ll be thankful that I answered the call
Rescued by my father and now standing tall
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