On The Run Poem by Richard Anders

I hit the road five years ago
I`m running from the law
I shot a man in Abilene
I beat him to the draw.

I sat one night in a downtown bar
my thoughts were for tomorrow
my last few dollars gone in drink
and nothing left but sorrow.

I had to find a job somewhere
to get a bite to eat
to put some clothes upon my back
and boots upon my feet.

My truckers licence thrown away
the drink had seen to that
now here in downtown Abilene
alone and broke I sat.

A fight broke out I tried to run
the cops swarmed through the door
a chair was slammed into my ribs
and I landed on the floor.

All hell broke loose that fateful night
I kicked and punched and swore
`til rough hands hauled me to my feet
and dragged me out the door.

Outside the rain was lashing down
the wind blew from the North
the devil`s hand was played that night
and played for all it`s worth.

A.45 fell by my side
and here my chance I saw
some guy tried to grab it
but I beat him to the draw.

'Let go that gun you g*****n bum! '
a voice cried in the night
a huge boot crashed into my chest
and I near gave up the fight!

The.45 then came alive
twice spitting flame and lead
I ran like hell but sad to tell
a young man lay there dead.

I hide by day and walk by night
ashamed of what I`ve done
five years gone since Abilene
and I`m still on the run!