My cavalier
Rode out to sunset
Though his midnight stage
Long departed
Into heavenly dusks
Less oppressive
Than what moonlit wastes
Bid farewell

As old forlorn trails
Soon reminded
Through these upswept sands
Hiding footprints
Where such vengeful boots
Stood together
Over ridges breached
Tracing sprawls

Along painted stars
Shining dimmest
Like their empty range
Missing heroes
Whose masked attempts
Weren’t history
But our present defeats
Begging aid

From that absent cross
Under belfries
Praying godless weeds
Learned religion
After tumbling near
Beyond missions
Well abandoned for years
Seeking roots

If those outlaw hearts
Never faltered
At some sighted props
Needing guidance
With each thundering gun
Spinning barrels
Around victims robbed
Swearing creeds

Since nostalgia known
By believers
On a lunchbox dream
Once forgotten
Watched black and white
Slowly transition
Toward colorful sins
Too far gone.

• J. Pigno