I'm Hopin' You'll Stay

Mail Order Brides- Settling the American West

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ago

His simple letter came.

I answered the request.

 

"I have a small ranch in Wyoming" it said

"Some livestock and some land

The house …well you’ll see the rest."

 

"I ain't much look at,

I work from dawn til dusk

The winters here are hard as hell."

 

"The summers are hot and dry

It can get pretty lonesome

There just ain’t that much to tell."

 

"But if you want

I’ll buy your ticket

I ask that you stay one year."

 

"If after that, you don’t like it

I’ll send you back

You’ll be free and clear."

 

He courted me through letters

as months went swiftly by

Fell in love with his simple way

 

"I’ll make no promise I cant keep,

I won’t hit ya, and I ain’t a yellin’ man"

I’m hopin’ that you’ll stay."

 

Waiting and watching

The dusty trail

A half a day had passed.

 

When far off in the distance

I saw his wagon

Coming for me at last.

 

Handsome, yet humble

Gentleman, tipped his hat

And said “you ready for a ride?”

 

A brand new life

It all started with a simple line

Wanted: MAIL ORDER BRIDE

Author's Note

The huge emigration of men to the western United States in the 19th century resulted in a disproportionate ratio of men to women in such places as Washington, Arizona and especially California during the Gold Rush. There's something exciting and romantic about a woman who travels west, either by ship or over land, to meet a stranger so they can settle amidst new territory and make it their own.
And so they did, by the hundreds.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for the poem and story. A different world back then. Men and woman had hard lives. The man set of people would be different then today. Back when men and woman built their homes and worked the land. I believe were closer then we are today with our mates. I like the Historic document to lead into the story. A positive ending to a excellent poem.
Coyote

[Kimberly]

I really love your poetry. It's romantic in a practical way, in a real way, you understand? It's not always wine and roses and longing and passion. Sometimes it's a hard as f**k winter and a dry, dusty summer and the simple hope that the person will stay for a bit. This is great. I like.

Fix up some grammatical mistakes but other than that it's fine.

[Abigail T]

This is the sweetest and most romantic poem I've read in a long, long time. Seriously. It's so cute and honest and lovely! I very, very rarely give 100's, but I'm definitely giving you one!

This poem has made my day! Thank you.

[Patient Poet (Yos)]

Very intresting and romantic too , I have a friend that I believe will love this , will send her a request :)

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

your ability to take historical fact and and breathe life into it through characters vibrant and alive is absolutely enthralling~
what a charming write you have here~ much enjoyed!~