E L L E ME N S H U N N E D

A fire broke out in her bones in her soul
and glittered like the black wall coal
diamond hard, the family traits
inherited her fathers hate

Riding in the old oak growth a saddle
supple her youth so bold
an old service revolver her skill
fast..a steady hold

Long tresses of midnight would fly in haste
"that girl's tainted" said those of the faith
but none would spare their pointed tongues
they'd seen the work with knife and gun

no confidante lover
no crowd no friends
a ghost on the trail
her days under mend
she died on her birthday
just newly nineteen
and they buried her gently
in the yard at the bend