Barbary Coast <br /> <br />Assuredly I was known by a lifestyle shown, <br />In the habits of a wanton man. <br />My story’s best told while toiling for gold, <br />By the errors of a mislaid plan. <br /> <br />Grubstake in hand by a brazen young man, <br />From Boston Harbor I made my sail. <br />Around the south horn the captain was scorn, <br />In the gullet of a monstrous gale. <br /> <br />In turmoil and strife, I lost hope for life, <br />While en route to the deep dark drink. <br />Of my deeds I swore, I’d amend evermore, <br />By putting my last testament to ink. <br /> <br />Jacks assailed the night and deferred my plight, <br />By cashing in a miracle or two. <br />Freed from death’s grip, we cheered our trip, <br />Extolling praise on a shaken crew. <br /> <br />We consummated our way to San Francisco Bay, <br />Cruising California’s coastline. <br />Of the Barbary Coast I dreamed of the most, <br />In the year of forty-nine. <br /> <br />I leaped on the dock and took lucrative stock, <br />Of edifices I planned to seize. <br />Dance halls and saloons churned sinful tunes <br />With trollops dancing striptease. <br /> <br />It was open for claim, by slight hand of game, <br />A little below honest and true. <br />Cards was my game and twas surely a shame, <br />For the poor souls I found to screw. <br /> <br />Money and power heeds no man's hour, <br />With destiny I made my date. <br />Her beauty was divine, no words could define, <br />The pure pearl of a gal named Kate. <br /> <br />Women were like wine, to taste and refine <br />My palate for the licentious life. <br />Kate gave love so true yet gained not her due, <br />For the longing to become a wife. <br /> <br />Lovers come and go as tides ebb and flow, <br />And broken hearts did accumulate. <br />The room dimmed black with pain in my back, <br />By a bullet from my lover Kate <br /> <br />While graveling for gold, it was my soul I sold, <br />In a life filled with ambitions. <br />It was bitter creeds, seeding tainted deeds, <br />That I traded honor for acquisitions.<br /><br />James Ronan<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/barbary-coast/
