Fame by John Duncklee

Fame

They called him “Kid”
Long after he danced
Long after he rode
Long after he rustled
Long after he killed

What if they had called him “Mister”
Or just Bill or William?
Fun loving but sober
His true friend, “Thunderer”
Constant companion
Sometimes too close a friend
Personally costumed
Twinkles in his eyes
Loved the señoritas
Because they loved to dance
Hunted down
Captured
Escaped
Reputation established
Not as a dancer
As a villain
A kid villain
Is he still around?
Does “Thunderer” still bellow?
Do his eyes still twinkle?
Or do they stare with menace?
What good is fame If you can’t dance?

{Poem by John Duncklee}