Gunsmoke Bounty

Under oppressive weight of July Kansas heat,
fourteen pelicans walked down a Dodge City street.
Quite a shock to the taciturn townsfolk all right
because pelicans far from the sea was a sight.

They walked seven and seven--two rows of sea bird
and when spotted by Festus he sure passed the word.
Then when word reached the Long Branch where Kitty poured booze,
everyone took a gander with nothing to lose.

(Many times outlaw gangs in the street people saw,
  so perhaps these fourteen ran afoul of the law.
  Yet as outlaws were most often seen in black clothes,
  pelicans in the buff had more white to disclose.)

Festus wasn’t alarmed but he thought Matt should know;
(Dillon’s first name was Matt and that seemed apropos.)
And of course Marshal Dillon was lawman most rare
who was quick on the draw and said, “Hold it right there!”

As the pelicans continued kicking up dust,
Marshal Dillon eyed Festus with lawman disgust.
Yet then Festus pled plaintively like seconds do,
saying, “Mathew, I do gar-on-tee* you it’s true!”

In the meantime, Doc Adams descended the stairs
to be met by a couple of pelican glares.
(For a few of the pelicans had broken ranks--
  by the door chef Delmonico was giving thanks.)

Marshal Dillon and Festus were there on the scene;
(in the front row one pelican started to preen.)
All the patrons and Kitty from Long Branch looked on;
old Doc Adams harrumphed, looking grumpy and drawn.

Then the pelicans regained their uniform walk,
(down the street a clock tower did chime twelve o’clock.)
Dillon drew out his Colt and waved it in the air;
with resolve in his voice he said, “Hold it right there!”

But the pelicans kept walking without relent;
it appeared as if high drama was their intent.
Doc and Kitty were now standing close to Matt’s side;
Festus Hagan in semi-pique lingered, wide-eyed.

(Later on at Delmonico’s spirits were fine
  as the folks of Dodge City sat ready to dine.
  Doc and Kitty and Festus and even Matt, too
  were impressed by their servings of pelican stew.)


40 Lines
Writer’s Cramp
9-3-14
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*Typical Festus-speak.