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The Piano Played

I was early VA appointment I waited, watched The room filled Sad-eyed, broken men From wars lost and won Their hats proclaiming Ninth Marines, the 173rd, the Hornet One flew Saber Jets A son wheeled in his dad An anxious wife fretted over her man Walkers for those with legs A dog for the blindContinue reading “The Piano Played”

Fat Boys on Harleys

Fat Boys on Harleys never had this much fun, As takin; my XR for a High Desert run. Throwing rooster tails out from the back, Bouncin’ off berms out on the track. Thorns from a Mesquite are tearin’ my sleeve, I’m havin’ more fun than you might believe. Up on the pegsContinue reading “Fat Boys on Harleys”

Traitor

“Don’t make a sound,” whispered Reuben as he crooked his arm around the Rebel picket’s throat and clapped his other hand over the man’s mouth. The sleepy man grunted as Reuben tightened his grip on his throat. The Rebel’s beady dark eyes looked at Reuben in terror. Another trooper grabbed the hapless man’s rifle. SoContinue reading “Traitor”

Every Song on the Jukebox

I‘ll drink up every song on the Jukebox, Just pour me my whisky, put it on rocks. My woman done left on a smoky old bus, Told me that I’m one Godawful cuss. I will be here ‘til it’s closin’ time, And the Jukebox has taken every last dime. I’ll play allContinue reading “Every Song on the Jukebox”

Chapter19: Bloodied

“At ease, men. Close the door!” ordered Captain Taylor. He had assembled the men of I Company in the Howell County courthouse. There was a feeling of anticipation as the troopers waited for their company commander to speak. Taylor looked sternly at the men, making sure he had their full attention. “How many of youContinue reading “Chapter19: Bloodied”

Chapter 18: The Elephant

(Excerpt from Chapter 17: But like Midwestern schoolboys anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first circus, they had yet to “see the elephant.”) The glass tinkled outward as the butt of Rueben’s revolver crashed through it. “Stay put!” he hissed to his little brother, Willis. “You are going to get some covering fire in aContinue reading “Chapter 18: The Elephant”

Chapter 17: Benton Barracks

“There she is!” Cried an excited Willis DeLay as they marched down the trail from the bluff to the river quay. “Side-wheeler packet,“ observed Reuben. “Looks like a lot of folks are there to see us off.” “Here we are marching off to war with no guns,” mused their cousin, John. Continue reading “Chapter 17: Benton Barracks”

Chapter 16: Camp Rankin

“DeLay, I’m promoting you to Quartermaster Sergeant.” “That’s fine, Sir. What is a Quartermaster Sergeant?” “You’ll be responsible for all the company supplies and equipment.” Reuben glanced down the barren street assigned to the company. Some of the men had made half-shelters out of the blankets they had been issued the evening before. The restContinue reading “Chapter 16: Camp Rankin”

Chapter 15: Enlistment

Chapter 15: Enlistment “You did what?” fumed Margaret, her eyes flashing angrily. “I enlisted,” was Reuben’s meek reply. “Damn you Reuben DeLay! Did you not think of us?” “I did. This is about protecting you and the kids. If we hit the Secessionists hard from the git-go, they’ll fold like they did in Kansas.”Continue reading “Chapter 15: Enlistment”

Damage Assessment:

Have We Been Played? A few weeks ago, America was negotiating with Iran on curbing its nuclear capabilities. This had been a bone of contention between the two nations since President Trump pulled out of the previous nuclear deal in 2018. Without notifying us, Israel attacked Iran. They took out missile and air defense systems,Continue reading “Damage Assessment:”