On May Ninth, Audrey Dawn posted a beautiful poem along with a great picture that she titled Wild West. Here is the picture and you can go to her blog and read the lovely poem. I could not help but be drawn to both the picture and her words. They served as a prompt for a short story that follows. I hope you take a moment and visit Audrey and enjoy her work as well as this story.
Wild West by John W. Howell © 2015
“Hey, Maud wha cha doin?”
“A bit o’ sewing Jacob. Wha’s it look like?”
“Well. Ta tell the truth, it looks like yor loafin’ on tha there stump.”
“Loafing? Why you old goat. If’n anyones loafin’ it’s you.”
“Aw, Maud you know I be roundin’up strays all damn day.”
“No need ta swear Jacob. Th’ Lord don’t take kindly ta no swearin’.”
“Well the’ Lord don’t take kindly to no lies either.”
“What lies Jacob?”
“That I be loafin’.”
“You started it.”
“Yes, I guess yor right. What cha makin’?”
“Not makin’ anythin’ Jacob. I’m a fixin’ your shirt.”
“The one I was wearn’when I stopped that arrie?”
“That’s th one.”
“I’as damn lucky that day.”
“Jacob? Th’Lord don’t want to hear you swearin’ specially after savin’ you an all.”
“Yeah, Maud yor right. Mind if I take this here chair?”
“No. Jacob you sit. You’ve had a rough week and ta rest is good for ya. That lasso needs some lookin’at while yor restin’.”
“Yeah been meanin’ to get ta it afore now. Looks like a quick fix. Hey Maud?”
“Yes, Jacob.”
“What’s fer supper?”
“Same as yesteday. Critter stew.”
“I think I’ll go fix this here lasso afore supper. Not shore what shape I’ll be in after critter stew.”
“An we’s runnin’ low on critters.”
Fiction Favorites 
Love the accents/language you used here. Really brought out the scene. I’d ask what specifically goes into critter stew, but I’m sure that would cause nightmares.
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Yeah, Don’t ask. (hint: anything caught in a trap or shot)
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Guess it beats roadkill risotto. Sorry. My sister once had to do an odd school project, so we helped her design the ‘Roadkill Restaurant’. Think it was for an English class and it revolved around designing a fictional, funny business.
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Sounds like fun. I have the Badger Burger please.
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With a side of flattened fries.
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Firestone Fries
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That’s just genius. Michelin Muskrat Meatloaf.
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LOL Pirelli Porcupine Pate
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Opossum omelet. We could really be here all day.
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Squirrel Steaks. Let’s quit
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Definitely on that note. Fun while it lasted. 🙂
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I love Audrey’s poetry John. This is a nice tribute to her poem.
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Thanks Dan. I hoped as much.
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Sounds like a conversation between my grandparents.
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Might have been. Or their parents too. 🙂
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John! I’m thrilled with your slice of the wild west and it suits my photo in such a great way. Your characters made me laugh and their drawl spot on. Did it take long to figure out how to write that out? I’m super impressed. You’ve proven to be a true Texan. What a gift! Critter stew sounds horrid, but we both know that here in Texas it’s an option. Thank you for taking this photo under your writer’s wing. I’m blessed to know you. I have to share your post. It is so great. Giggle worthy…and that lasso is incredibly inspiring. Enjoy your day.
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Aw. You are sweet. I just had that story in my mind when I read your poem. I imagined a couple of folks who work hard and know each other very well having a normal chat and pulling each other’s leg.
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Sorta like us…giggle. We both have one leg longer than the other to prove it. 😉
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Yes it’s true.
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Reblogged this on Oldest Daughter & Red Headed Sister and commented:
A local Texas boy gifts me a short story to go with my Wild West poem and photo. John lives just down the road in Corpus Christi and I adore having him as a neighbor. He’s a heck of a storyteller and truly has the best sense of humor. Thank you, John. I love this gift!
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Thanks for the re-blog and you are welcome.
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The photo captures the spirit of it well. Hugs.
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Oops! My fumble fingers managed to post that before i was finished… Fun story. You killed me with the critter stew. 😀
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Thanks. I was aiming.
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🙂
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Nice to meet you, John, through Audrey. This is a great story to go along with her photo, though something called “critter stew” can’t be much more than whatever was unlucky enough to get caught, trapped, or shot!!
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You got it. In those days it wasn’t anything that was run over since no one moved fast enough. Can’t say what is in critter stew today. Thanks for stopping. I am a Domer by the way. MBA in 84. Nice meeting you as well.
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Always grand to meet another Domer — in my case, it’s my dear son. One of these days, he’ll probably pause for an MBA, too, but right now, he wants to make money hand over fist!!
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Sure he does.
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Nothin’ warms the belly like a steamin’ bowl of critter stew. Just don’t forget the salt.
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And maybe some home squeezens
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Love the language of the old time chatter between a man and his wife. Not sure about the critters, though. Kind of nondescript and I can’t help imagining critters I’ve never met. Blah.
Like the setting and laid back pace, as well as the relationship between them. ❤
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Thank you Tess.
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I felt like a Peeping Tom. 😀
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🙂
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I don’t want to think about the number of times I might *possibly* have eaten critter stew……….
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I know right?
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