The Life and Times of Bud Fontaine
(based on the poem Ballad of the Mighty One)
I am writing a short story based on a poem I wrote when I was twelve. I found the poem in my father's things after he passed away. It was typed on an old-time typewriter. It blessed me that my father kept it all these years. My father was a published writer of short stories for Esquire Magazine decades ago.
In my story "Bud Fontaines" character is my father. It is based in 1952 in the Canyon Land of Utah in a remote, mystical town called Hanksville. Hanksville is near the famous Green River that flows from Wyoming, Utah and Colorado. All along the banks of this river are huge boulders. Utah is the most amazing state in the union in my opinion. You have the Great Salt Lake area, northern, snowy mountains where Robert Redford lives "Sundance", the Archway National Park, Zion National park, Bryce Canyon Park, the Canyon Lands, Dead Horse Point near Moab and then at the southern tip of Utah is the northern edge of the Grand Canyon... It is a wonderful place to write about. Ute, Shosone, Pueblo and Apache Indians lived in this area years ago. They lived in cave dwelling and the nomadic indians drifted around in search of buffalo. These indians thrived on the fish in the rivers and hunting mountain lions, buffalo, bear, elk and deer. The Green River is famous for Brown and Rainbow Trout. All over Utah are cave dwelling and art work painted on canyon land walls. Also in Utah is the largest place in the world to find fossils. Many dinosaur bones have been found there.
Here is the poem from years ago. that I adapted into a song.
Ballad Of The Mighty One
A colt is born among the night
Black ebony fur is shining bright
The father is so proud, the mother gay
Just think it happened long ago that day
Soon the sun out shines the night
Chill in the air, the feeling is just right
The mighty one gets up with ease
But soon falls down in the misty breeze
He tries again with his muscles bold
But soon his legs begin to fold
Wind in his mane as he struggles then gets up
Looking sturdy as a new born pup
He lives in the canyons, a safe place to be
Never falling down again upon his knees
With careful eyes he stoops to take a bite
Grew up fast and strong under the pale moon light
The ballad of the mighty one born with fury under the mountain sun
Black velvet color, a proud steed
Everyone wanted him for beauty and his mighty speed
But he was born free, born free
No one could take that away, can't you see?
The mighty one was a true stallion to all
The mustangs would all come at his slightest call
He led them to green valleys, a place to hide
Watching over them with his mighty pride
Soon the wranglers came and followed the tracks
Led right to the mighty one and the mustangs backs
They caught them all, all but the mighty one
Nothing could catch his spirit, not even a gun
Black velvet eyes now have tears
Losing those mustangs was his greatest fear
He's lonely as he walks under the stars and trees
An untamed heart just lays down and dies with ease
Ballad of the mighty one
Born with fury under the mountain sun
Black velvet color, a proud steed
Everyone wanted him for his beauty and his mighty speed
But he was born free, born free
No one can take that away can't you see?
Sometimes in the lonesome western sky
I see the mighty one in the clouds if I try
Sometimes when my spirit takes flight
I hear the horse whispering in the night
"Born free, I'm born free No one can take that away from me"
**If you want to listen to the song here is the link. It is the second song on the list. Just push to play.
https://www.nancy-heartmusic.com/music.php
