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Chapter 3: Montgomery

“Hold up there!” called someone from behind. Startled out of the monotony of the trail, Reuben looked back. A rider was approaching. He looked like a rough, crude frontiersman; shaggy beard and all. Reuben brought the wagon to a halt and waited. “Hello friend,” said the man as he approached Reuben’s perch onContinue reading “Chapter 3: Montgomery”

I Wonder How They’ll Change Her

I wonder how they’ll change her, I suppose we’ll have to see. Do they pose a danger, To those who would be free? Will evil boldly march, With flags and torches high? Like stormers through the arch, To make the humble cry? Will we begin to hate, The strangers in our midst?Continue reading “I Wonder How They’ll Change Her”

Damn Yankee

“Git offa mah property you damn Yankee som beech!” commanded the little man with the tobacco-stained teeth. “And stay away from mah Niggah, you heah?” Reuben’s first encounter with the residents of Linn County had rapidly gone south. He could tell the little man meant business because his hand had moved to theContinue reading “Damn Yankee”

Galvanized Rebel

After a few days of recuperating at home, Reuben rode into Centerville. He had some letters to mail and was anxious to get fresh news from the front. The post office was in the back of the Square Deal General Store. As he strode up the steps a man leaving the store hunched over asContinue reading “Galvanized Rebel”

Resolution

A fictionalized account of Reuben DeLay’s time in Confederate prisons Reuben gently pushed the blanket he shared with Dawes over the form of his softly snoring bedmate. The air was cold and his joints ached from sleeping on the hard ground. He needed to stretch and get his blood circulating. He crawled outContinue reading “Resolution”

Christmas Potpourri

So Christmas time is almost here, Time for us to spread some cheer. And think about some times long gone, And other Christmas days bygone. Like that day in Forty-Nine, Dad a-runnin’ on that Northern line. A whistle blow would tell us when, Our Christmas would at last begin. Or ChristmasContinue reading “Christmas Potpourri”

A Reindeer Named Karen

Hi, I’m Karen. I’m the replacement reindeer for Blitzen in the number 7 slot on Santa’s sleigh. It seems old Blitzen fell of the wagon and nearly crashed the sleigh last Christmas. The job is a bitch, but I’m out of hay. Sometimes ya gotta do stuff to survive. The other coursers are someContinue reading “A Reindeer Named Karen”

Line Camp Christmas

The cattle have all been fed, And Bowser’s lyin’ in his bed. The fire crackles in the stove, The hackamore is finally wove. He doesn’t have a Christmas pine, A tumbleweed will do just fine. Tinsel from store-bought smokes, Good enough for most cowpokes. Ornaments from cactus fruit, Strung upContinue reading “Line Camp Christmas”

Bad Mexicans

A Book that Could Be Banned As I read Bad Mexicans: Race, Empire, and Revolution in the Borderlands, I was reminded of the extraordinary efforts of the state of Arizona to ban the teaching of Mexican-American Studies by the Tucson School District. The conservative leaders of my state lived in fear of telling the truthContinue reading “Bad Mexicans”

Kilowatt

His name was Kent but we called him Kilowatt, ‘cuz the way that he danced was so damn hot. Jerry Lee’s piano was no match for him, And Kilowatt was his pseudonym. White Bucks and ducktails were all the rage, And America’s youth were on the rampage. Hot cars with Smittys were cruisin’ the drag,Continue reading “Kilowatt”