Skirmish

“Up with your fists”-the stalwart lad
A manly challenge puts,
Only to get- ’tis true, ’tis sad-
A dagger in his guts.

The leering thug, with outstretched knife
Another victim spies-
But the victim draws to save his life
And plugs him ‘twixt the eyes.

Then off he rides with pistol hot
To settle with a duel-
But through his back a rifle shot-
His rival is no fool.

This rifle him will vantage give-
A vicious volley rocks him-
His foe by foresight chose to live
With be prepared his Maxim!

He happily sprays the enemy line,
Enjoys the merry chatter-
A tank appears, a puff, a whine,
And his intestines splatter.

By Geoff Patrick