Tombstones in Tombstone—Poetry by Benjamin Henry Bailey

The tombstones in Tombstone tell the story

of how many men and women met their fate.

Some were by sickness, some by accidents,

and some were killed by those fueled by hate.

The gravel and rocks placed ever so carefully,

lays out each final resting place in rows.

The markers tell the grim tales,

that leaves morbid imagination of their death throes.

Death comes in many ways,

to the young, old, short, and tall.

If one is a gambler,

the only thing to bet on is that it comes for us all.

“Lynched By Bisbee Mob 1884”

“Killed By Indians 1882”

Vast descriptions left behind,

making sure there is nothing to misconstrue.

Some of those buried here died

to be born again in legend.

The thought never crossing their mind as life gave out

and the darkness beckoned.

The gunfight in the lot behind the corral,

erupted and caused blood to spill.

History alluded to both right and wrong.

All can agree though that it sent three to boot hill.

I stand here now among the graves,

wondering what dreams and fears they all had.

The tombstones in Tombstone evoke such emotion,

as death comes for us all, the good and the bad.