Remembering The Poems Written By Famous Outlaws Bonnie And Clyde

Two of America’s most infamous criminals were also prone to writing poetry

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, better known as Bonnie and Clyde, were a criminal duo who became world famous during the Great Depression because of their fast driving and quick shooting ways. The hardened desperados lived fast and loose, which led to their early deaths at the guns of lawmen. However, they were more than simply crooks. Both were known for writing poetry, with some of their verses still available for reading today.

Born on March 24, 1909, in Telico, Texas, Barrow grew up poor. As a young man, his poverty became exacerbated as the country entered the harsh times of the Great Depression. Like many others, he felt the sting of economic hardship, and it was during this period that he transitioned from frequent youthful indiscretions into a full-blown hardened criminal.

Barrow became a seasoned thief, who was quick to violence at the slightest provocation. His criminal activities reached a new level when he met 20-year-old Bonnie Parker in 1930, who came from similar hard circumstances. The two quickly became romantically involved, and Bonnie, captivated by Clyde’s charm, joined him on his criminal escapades.

Together, the young couple embarked on a crime spree spanning multiple states over two years, robbing banks, gas stations, and stores. They brazenly used guns and big fast cars to take on the authorities in a way never seen before. They took the mindset of kill or be killed, leading to them taking no hesitation when it came to pulling the trigger. During the course of their criminal endeavors, it’s believed that they may have killed as many as 13 people.

Their notoriety grew as they evaded capture over and over again. Dubbed Bonnie and Clyde, they fascinated the public, despite their violent actions. Their ability to almost effortlessly outmaneuver law enforcement made them appear to be above repercussions, thus sparking the public’s imagination. They also gained a Robin Hood type of image because they focused on robbing banks that were involved in financially pressuring land and home owners during the Depression.

The starcrossed lovers' criminal spree came to an emphatic end on May 23, 1934, when they were ambushed by law enforcement near Bienville Parish, Louisiana. Surrounded and trapped in their car, they were sprayed by a hail of bullets, bringing an end to their improbable and dark fairy tale story.

Although both Bonnie and Clyde were school dropouts, they both seemed to have an enjoyment of poetry. Having to be nearly constantly on the run, they didn't have time for a lot of enjoyment, but writing verses was something that was a common pasttime, especially for Bonnie.

Bonnie kept a notebook of poems that she wrote, which included some that were produced when she was in jail. Although somewhat rudimentary, she attempted to convey her desparate lifestyle and relationship with Clyde into writing.

https://texashideout.tripod.com/poem.html reprinted some of Bonnie's poems, including one melancholy composition that foretold the end of her and her love, called The Trail's End:

“You’ve read the story of Jesse James of how he lived and died. If you’re still in need; of something to read, here’s the story of Bonnie and Clyde.

Now Bonnie and Clyde are the Barrow gang I’m sure you all have read. how they rob and steal; and those who squeal, are usually found dying or dead.

There’s lots of untruths to these write-ups; they’re not as ruthless as that. their nature is raw; they hate all the law, the stool pigeons, spotters and rats.

They call them cold-blooded killers they say they are heartless and mean. But I say this with pride that I once knew Clyde, when he was honest and upright and clean.

But the law fooled around; kept taking him down, and locking him up in a cell. Till he said to me; “I’ll never be free, so I’ll meet a few of them in hell”

The road was so dimly lighted there were no highway signs to guide. But they made up their minds; if all roads were blind, they wouldn’t give up till they died.

The road gets dimmer and dimmer sometimes you can hardly see. But it’s fight man to man and do all you can, for they know they can never be free.

From heart-break some people have suffered from weariness some people have died. But take it all in all; our troubles are small, till we get like Bonnie and Clyde.

If a policeman is killed in Dallas and they have no clue or guide. If they can’t find a fiend, they just wipe their slate clean and hang it on Bonnie and Clyde.

There’s two crimes committed in America not accredited to the Barrow mob. They had no hand; in the kidnap demand, nor the Kansas City Depot job.

A newsboy once said to his buddy; “I wish old Clyde would get jumped. In these awfull hard times; we’d make a few dimes, if five or six cops would get bumped”

The police haven’t got the report yet but Clyde called me up today. He said,”Don’t start any fights; we aren’t working nights, we’re joining the NRA.”

From Irving to West Dallas viaduct is known as the Great Divide. Where the women are kin; and the men are men, and they won’t “stool” on Bonnie and Clyde.

If they try to act like citizens and rent them a nice little flat. About the third night; they’re invited to fight, by a sub-gun’s rat-tat-tat.

They don’t think they’re too smart or desperate they know that the law always wins. They’ve been shot at before; but they do not ignore, that death is the wages of sin.

Some day they’ll go down together they’ll bury them side by side. To few it’ll be grief, to the law a relief but it’s death for Bonnie and Clyde.”

Clyde wasn’t as prolific with his poems, but he too could put pen to paper when he wanted, keeping his own notebook, which still survives today and was put up to auction back in 2019. Although spelling and grammar were not strong suits of his, he left his feelings on paper. One of his verses was in response to something written by Bonnie:

“Bonnie s Just Written a poem the Story of Bonnie & Clyde. So I will try my hand at Poetry With her riding by my side. We donte want to hurt anney one but we have to Steal to eat. and if it’s a shoot out to to live that’s the way it will have to bee. We have kidnapped some people. And tied them to a tree but not so tight that after we were gone tha could not get themselves free. We are going home tomorrow to look in on the folks. We will meet then out near Grape Vine if the Laws donte get there first. Now that’s not as good as Bonnies. So I guess I Will call it a flop. But please God Just one moore visit before we are Put on the spot.”

Although the pair's poetic works may not rank among the all-time greats of verse, what they did write during their desperate crime binge across the United States shows that they were much more than cold-hearted killers. They chose a brutal way of life, but did not lose their humanity, showing their inner most thoughts in fears through what came out of their pens, even when most people only paid attention to their guns.