Filling myths with good, bad, ugly
Fictional tales grow in stature
Snarling summer heat, winter cold
Hostile climate conditions reign
Dreaming to grow up as cowboys
Distraught mothers asking sons, “Why?”
Blessing every cowboy and horse
Inseparable life partners
Riding herd on open prairie
Longest, loneliest days and nights
Hungering for silver and gold
Outlaws robbing another train
Breathing fire with every six-gun
Unbeatable law of Old West
Searching dreams, with each hard day’s ride
Drifters, without any name
Pursuing mystical treasure
Phantom fortunes never found
Covering endless, open range
Enormous ranches stretching out
Seeking freedom, farming homesteads
Young families journey out west
Springing up, middle of nowhere
Small towns come alive overnight
Begging for help, clean up our town
Citizens hire ageless lawman
Enduring hard life, little pay
Old West struggles, never fading
Big Sky Buckeye 
I grinned when I saw one of your tags is ‘perseverance.’ That’s what was needed in the world you describe — and today, too.
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When we compare different eras and cultures, we find so many of the same characteristics necessary for meeting life’s challenges. Yes, we need every amount of “perseverance” these days.
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You’re right, Richard. Struggling against the weather, greedy men, and other evils, striving for riches, security and freedom–these endeavors have been part of the human experience since time began. Perhaps we have more in common with our ancestors than we realize. Many of the struggles of the Old West you highlight (so well) here are with us still!
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Nancy, thanks for reading and sharing. Indeed, we see some of these qualities of the Old West even in our modern times . . . some for the good, others for the bad.
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Yes, many of those struggles are with us still – and perseverance is the key even in today’s world.
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I agree Jan. Perseverance is a necessary quality in today’s world as well.
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