The Fall of the Rider

“Please don’t go,” she said as her plea, holding close to the Rider
“You know I must, so please, Love, don’t fuss” placed deep terror inside her

The Rider had but one more trek to complete his urgent mission
The letter soon, before the full moon, would at last arrive in person

Never before had the Rider come short in any one of his duties
This time though a dangerous show came from one of his enemies

He donned his hat at took one last bite of his dinner of ham on rye
He made his way through the saloon girl foray, not one of the ladies were shy

She followed him close to watch him leave fearing all of the worst
Something inside her dreaded this ride, this letter was all but cursed

The Rider saddled his horse and was nearly away, but stopped once he got on the street
Waiting for him just as she feared, The Gunslinger stood ready to meet

“Stop where you are!” the Gunslinger said, prompting the Rider dismount
“Just hand it on here and there’s nothing to fear”, the whole town took notice his shout

“You know that I can’t give in to you, you had best be on your way”
But Rider and Slinger both knew the truth, only one man would live to see day

Without a word they both drew and started a flurry of bullets that riddled the town
Everyone took cover hoping soon it’d be over and one of the men would fall down

The gunfire stopped and the wind cleared the smoke that came from the skirmish downtown
The people came out to remove any doubt which of the men was victorious this round

Last rites were given by a priest at the grave that was placed under a tree
A sad song was offered in place of a coffer; the guitar man refused his small fee

Alone now at last the Rider looked down at the grave of his poor fallen love
Gunslinger would die soon from the rot in his wound, not destined for life up above

After the fight that had halted the letter in hand, all the Rider could ponder was this:
The bullet that took the life of his love, was it from the gun of the Slinger or his?