A Devil On Yonder Ridge

I walk the road to Atascadero For the sight of an eastern sea A sixgun my only companion When I say goodbye to Tennessee A ridge rises high to my south Just ‘cross the Arkansas line The sun beats hot and heavy on my back And the sweat leaves me blind Rocks skitter down the slope above and behind A shadow casts down and falls ‘cross the road I look and behold a blackness in the sunlight Skin prickles and the wind is ice in an inferno: There is a devil on that yonder ridge A shadow made man He is watching My legs refuse to move I feel for the iron on my hip But it won’t leave its holster I can’t see its face but it’s looking at me A wordless whisper rides the wind The sun turns black as night but still burns There is a song I have not heard before And then the caress of hot breath on my neck